Zheng Zhengqiu

Zheng Zhengqiu was born in Shanghai on 25 January 1889. He was born Zheng Fangze 鄭方澤 into a wealthy family of merchants. He attended the prestigious Nanyang Public School, where he developed an interest in literature and drama. He also learned English and French, and read widely on Western culture and philosophy. He became a supporter of the New Culture Movement and the May Fourth Movement, which advocated for democracy, science, and cultural reform in China. He also joined the Communist Party of China in 1921, and became a close friend of Mao Zedong. He began his film career in 1913, when he wrote and co-directed China's first short feature film, The Difficult Couple 難夫難妻, with Zhang Shichuan. The film was a drama about a man and woman forced into an arranged marriage by their families. It was a success, and marked the beginning of Zheng's long and fruitful collaboration with Zhang. In 1922, they co-founded the Star Film Company 明星影片公司, which would become one of the most influential and prolific film studios in China. Zheng served as the chief screenwriter and director, and personally wrote and directed 53 films before his death. He was known for his progressive and realistic filmmaking and writing, and his patriotic and anti-imperialist themes. He was one of the most popular and respected filmmakers in China, and won several awards and honors for his works. ¹ Some of his most famous films include The Orphan Rescues Grandfather 孤兒救祖父 (1923), The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple 火燒紅蓮寺 (1928), and The Goddess 神女 (1934). He also collaborated with other filmmakers, such as Sun Yu, Cai Chusheng, and Yuan Muzhi, who were among the most prominent film directors and screenwriters in pre-Communist China. He also wrote books on film theory and drama criticism. He was a pioneer in film art and culture, and a master of social commentary and human drama. ¹² Zheng died of liver cancer on 16 July 1935, in Shanghai, at the age of 46. He was one of the most influential and innovative filmmakers and playwrights in Chinese cinema and drama history. He created milestone films and plays that reflected the conflicts of human nature and destiny, demonstrating a profound artistic vision and cultural awareness. His works have been widely praised and studied by critics and scholars, and have inspired generations of filmmakers and audiences. He was also a patriot who championed the resistance against foreign invasion and the liberation of China. He was posthumously rehabilitated in 1978, and received several honors and awards for his contributions to Chinese film and drama art.