This film is part of Free
Snapshots of China: Shaoyang Hospital, Hunan
Rare insight into the health work of Methodist missionaries in rural Shaoyang, Hunan Province, South Central China.
Overview
This amateur film offers a fantastic insight into the work of Methodist missionaries living in Shaoyang, Hunan Province in the 1940s. As well as showcasing modern medical equipment and procedure, the film is rich with touching moments: worried-looking children queuing for vaccinations, smiling trainee nurses performing an operation, and cheery patients collecting their prescriptions.
This is one of six films known to have been shot by missionary doctor JG Pearson, who may well have been related to Dr George H Pearson, founder and manager of Shaoyang Hospital from 1920 to 1951. In the early 20th century, missionaries were often the only source of medical care in rural areas like Hunan. Their overriding contribution was to establish hospitals and provide medical training to local communities, as documented here.
Related
A Stilted City. Chungking. China A Stilted City. Chungking. China
Travelogue 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Chongqing
Life among the limpet-like buildings clinging to the steep banks of the Yangtze in southwest China.
Mongolia Mongolia
Amateur film 1935 42 mins Silent
Mongolian men show off their prowess in wrestling, archery and horse racing, known as the “three manly games”.
Homework and Street Scenes in China Homework and Street Scenes in China
Travelogue 1908 7 mins
Intimate vignettes of crafters, beggars and labourers in the workshops, on the streets and eating in the outdoor kitchens of imperial China.
Among the Tribes in South-West China Among the Tribes in South-West China
Documentary 1948 37 mins Silent
This alluring travelogue follows a missionary on his colourful journey into the ethnically diverse mountains of Yunnan, south west China.
Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China
Documentary 1937 2 mins Silent
An exceptionally detailed look at the process of rice cultivation, from planting to harvesting to pounding, in the Xi Jiang Delta, Guangdong Province.
An Oriental Venice An Oriental Venice
Travelogue 1925 2 mins Silent Location: Hangzhou
Enjoy a cruise along the ancient canals of Zhejiang Province in eastern China with this gorgeous stencil-coloured travelogue
The Work of Evangelism in Hunan The Work of Evangelism in Hunan
Amateur film 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
Religious rites and Christian activism in South Central China, seen through the eyes of Methodist missionaries.
A Visit to Hunan A Visit to Hunan
Travelogue 1946 50 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
This engaging film documents the journey of a doctor sent by the Methodist Missionary Society across land and sea to rural Hunan Province.
Travel Scenes in Hunan Travel Scenes in Hunan
Amateur film 1935 16 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
Scenes in and around Shaoyang in South Central China are brought to life by mesmerising amateur photography.
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.