August First Film Studio

The August First Film Studio of the Chinese People's Liberation Army is a Chinese* film studio, located in Liuliqiao Beili, Fengtai District, Beijing, covering an area of 392.1 mu. In March 1951, preparations began under the name of the Military Education Film Studio of the General Political Department. On August 1, 1952, the studio was officially established and named the PLA Film Studio. In 1956, it was renamed the August First Film Studio of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

The August First Film Studio was founded on August 1, 1952. Its predecessor was the Eighth Route Army's "Yan'an Film Group." It mainly produces military-themed films and television programs and is a comprehensive film studio capable of producing feature films, military educational films, news documentaries, scientific research films, television films, and TV dramas, among other genres.

In 1952, the August First Film Studio completed its * film, the military educational film "River Attack." In the same year, it also completed its * documentary "Jingjiang Flood Diversion," and its * Chinese-language teaching film "The Nervous System and Conditioned Reflexes." In 1955, it produced its * feature film "Breaking Through the Darkness Before Dawn." In 1960, it completed China's * stereoscopic documentary "A Journey to the Li River." Starting in 1982, it produced its * TV drama "The Examination Room." Starting in 1988, it began producing animated films.

For more than half a century, the August First Film Studio has produced more than 2,400 films of various genres. Among them are more than 240 feature films: from the 1950s and 1960s works such as "Breaking Through the Darkness Before Dawn," "The Story of Liubao," "Heroic Tiger Courage," "The Undying Radio Wave," "The Hui Detachment," "Battle of Shanghai," "Snowy Forest and Sea of Snow," "Tunnel Warfare," and "Ancient City in Spring Wind and Wild Fire" to the 1970s and 1980s works such as "Sparkling Red Star," "Homeward Bound," "Evening Bell," "Four Crossings of the Chishui River," "Wind and Rain Over Zhongshan," and "Majestic Kunlun." Among them, "Evening Bell," with its reflection on human nature in war and its humanitarian light, won the "Silver Bear" at the Berlin Film Festival. This continued until the 1990s, when the epic revolutionary war films "The Great Decisive Battle," "The Great Turning Point," and "The Great Advance" were born—magnificent revolutionary wars, brilliantly colorful cinematic images, and shining screen characters added a glorious page to the gallery of Chinese and even world cinema.

Entering the new century, major changes took place in the Chinese film industry: Hollywood blockbusters invaded, and domestic films accelerated their marketization. All of this posed a major test for the August First Film Studio within the system. Facing the new situation, the studio adjusted its creative approach and decided to shift from mainly revolutionary historical themes to mainly contemporary themes. At the same time, drawing on the creative models of Hollywood genre films, it explored new approaches to Chinese military cinema. The August First Film Studio also completed a number of feature films excellent in ideology, artistry, and entertainment value, such as "Charge Out of the Amazon," "Roaring Waves," "Soul-Stirring," and "Warmth for All Families." In addition, when commemorating the 60th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it released "On the Taihang Mountains" and "The Eighth Route Army"; when commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's Long March, it released "My Long March" and "The Pass Is Like Iron"; and when commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the army, it released a series of award-winning excellent film and television works such as "August First," "Soldiers Sortie," and "J-10 Attack," producing enormous social impact.