This film is part of Free
Dragon Boat Racing Hong Kong c.1937
Get close to the action with this high-octane footage of a traditional Chinese water sport.
Overview
Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese tradition and part of the annual Duanwu Festival, thought to date back 2,000 years. This amateur footage of the races in progress was shot from a neighbouring boat - a perfect vantage point to capture the pulse and energy of the majestic longboats, with their ceremonial drummers and gong strikers, and crew of paddlers who thrash the water in perfect unison.
The boats were traditionally made from teak wood in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province, near Hong Kong. This film was shot in Hong Kong's Aberdeen Harbour, by amateur filmmaker A. J. Hall, who shot several films in the region in the late 1930s.
Related
Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.
A Drive Round the Island of Hong Kong A Drive Round the Island of Hong Kong
Home movie 1935 18 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Join a group of ex-pats on a tour around Hong Kong, long before it became defined by its skyscraper skyline.
Around the New Territories - Hong Kong Around the New Territories - Hong Kong
Amateur film 1938 14 mins Silent Location: Tai Po Road
The famous island is only part of Hong Kong, as this intrepid amateur explorer-cum-filmmaker reveals in this intriguing travelogue.
Hong Kong Happenings Hong Kong Happenings
Home movie 1938 13 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Striking snapshots of life in a colonial outpost in the 1930s.
Hong Kong Happenings Part 2 Hong Kong Happenings Part 2
Amateur film 1937 9 mins Silent Location: Lai Chi Kok
Scenes of typhoon-torn Hong Kong captured by a local resident.
The Streets of Hong Kong - Wintertime 1936 The Streets of Hong Kong - Wintertime 1936
Amateur film 1938 17 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Christmas decorations jostle for attention among thousands of street signs in this amateur exploration of Hong Kong Island’s busy streets.
Shantou, China c.1932 Shantou, China c.1932
Amateur film 1932 11 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Home-movie snapshots of life and work in Shantou in Guangdong Province, South China.
Cine Snapshots - 1937 Cine Snapshots - 1937
Amateur film 1937 32 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Vivid views of pre-war Hong Kong.
Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.
Hong Kong Happenings Hong Kong Happenings
Home movie 1938 13 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Striking snapshots of life in a colonial outpost in the 1930s.
A Gate of China A Gate of China
Documentary 1927 9 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Staggering views of 1920s Hong Kong capture the contradictory cocktail of East meets West on this outpost island.
Hong Kong Happenings Part 2 Hong Kong Happenings Part 2
Amateur film 1937 9 mins Silent Location: Lai Chi Kok
Scenes of typhoon-torn Hong Kong captured by a local resident.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.