The Founding of a Party

During the early 20th century, China is marked by political disunity and a handful of individuals, including Mao Zedong, Li Dazhao, and Zhou Enlai, envision a unified China, especially in the political crises that followed the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, which ended centuries of dynastic rule in the country. After World War I, the Western Allies gave Qingdao and Jiaozhou Bay to the Empire of Japan at the Treaty of Versailles, stirring sentiments amongst China's youth, leading to the May Fourth Movement of 1919. In March 1920, Grigori Voitinsky comes to China in an attempt to spread communism to the Far East and, on 22 July 1921, 13 representatives from throughout China meet in a Shanghai's women's dormitory to found what would become the Chinese Communist Party.

The Founding of a Party was one of 28 films promoted by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television to mark the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party. Filming commenced on 18 August 2010 at the China Film Group Corporation's shooting location in Huairou District, Beijing.

Dubbed by the Western media as a "propaganda epic", the film has a final all-star cast, including celebrities from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other countries, who play the roles of various historical figures; a few notable actors include Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat, Taiwanese-American singer Leehom Wang,9 June 2011, [http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2011-06-09/20283329805.shtml 《建党伟业》再现五四狂飙 王力宏黄轩辩论戏PK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120192902/http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2011-06-09/20283329805.shtml |date=20 November 2022 }}, Sina Entertainment Hong Kong film director John Woo, Taiwanese actor Chang Chen,9 September 2010, [http://news.chinafilm.com/201009/2963236.html 张震《建党伟业》演青年蒋介石 定妆照帅气逼人] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721033226/http://news.chinafilm.com/201009/2963236.html |date=21 July 2011 }}, China Film Group Hong Kong actor Eric Tsang,9 June 2011, [http://movie.ifensi.com/article-416269.html 周润发谈《建党》造型 称曾志伟更像袁世凯] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629044749/http://movie.ifensi.com/article-416269.html |date=29 June 2011 }}, Ifensi mainland Chinese singer Han Geng27 May 2011, [http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2011-05-27/04203319197.shtml 《建党伟业》主打偶像风 一米八韩庚出演邓小平] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120192908/http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2011-05-27/04203319197.shtml |date=20 November 2022 }}, Sina Entertainment and Russian singer Vitalii Vladasovich Grachyov (stage name Vitas).10 June 2011, [https://web.archive.org/web/20121107213409/http://news.xinhuanet.com/ent/2011-06/10/c_121519212.htm 《建党伟业》将映 赵立新六月大秀“四栖连环计”], Xinhua News Agency Liu Ye, who played a young Mao Zedong, was reported to have gained {{convert|10|kg|lb}} to play his role, a feat achieved by eating 20 eggs a day. Media reports claim that over 400 actors auditioned for the film's roles.

During a news conference on 8 June 2011, the film's director Huang Jianxin said that the film would have several scenes cut, as the original film would have otherwise been too long for theatrical release.Liu Wei, 11 June 2011, [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2011-06/11/content_12675834.htm Revival ready for release with leaner cast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120192904/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2011-06/11/content_12675834.htm |date=20 November 2022 }}, China Daily Among the cuts were actress Tang Wei's performance as Tao Yi, an early female partner of Mao Zedong. Some media reports claimed that Mao Zedong's grandson Mao Xinyu,Clifford Coonan, 30 May 2011, [https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118037777 China Communists celebrate with 'Revival': 'Transformers,' 'Harry Potter' be delayed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215115524/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118037777 |date=15 December 2012 }}, Variety a major-general in the People's Liberation Army, objected to her being inappropriate for the role (citing her earlier role in the erotic-thriller film Lust, Caution).Clifford Coonan, 16 May 2011, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/chinas-leading-lady-tang-wei-deemed-too-racy-to-star-in-mao-movie-2284675.html "China's leading lady Tang Wei deemed too racy to star in Mao movie"], The Independent A cinema group executive, however, alleged that unnamed "industry insiders" had questioned the factual accuracy of her character and denied the decision was related to Tang's role in Lust, Caution.Lee, Min (26 May 2011). [https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ib824a1cs_-P87SSKX-n3yy0k5HA?docId=e244a58e815b453e8dffce1b554b11c0 Tang's role in Chinese propaganda film in doubt]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Associated Press

Production values have improved over Han Sanping's previous film The Founding of a Republic, with better-lit widescreen photography created by Zhao Xiaoshi. As with Republic, Party also features musical scores by Shu Nan. Some original black-and-white documentary footage included within the film. The film was also given an opportunity to shoot within the Moscow Kremlin.14 December 2010, [https://web.archive.org/web/20101215224514/http://english.cri.cn/6666/2010/12/14/1261s610037.htm 'The Founding of a Party' to Film at Kremlin], CRI

Shanghai GM, the Chinese joint venture of the American automotive giant General Motors, announced in September 2010 that its subsidiary Cadillac had become 'chief business partner' to the film.[http://chinaautoweb.com/2010/09/cadillac-sponsors-communist-propaganda-film/ "Cadillac Sponsors Communist Propaganda Film"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618001309/http://chinaautoweb.com/2010/09/cadillac-sponsors-communist-propaganda-film/ |date=18 June 2011 }}, China Auto Web. (2 September 2010). General Motors was hit by criticism upon revelations that it had sponsored the Chinese communist propaganda film.Currie, Kelley (blog, 23 September 2010). [http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/gms-cadillac-be-featured-chinese-propaganda-film "GM's Cadillac Sponsors Chinese Propaganda Film"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924110851/http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/gms-cadillac-be-featured-chinese-propaganda-film |date=24 September 2010 }}. The Weekly StandardPicket, Kerry (blog, 17 May 2011). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2011/may/17/gm-sponsors-and-celebrates-soon-be-released-chi-co/ "GM sponsors and celebrates soon to be released Chi-Com propaganda film"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618111727/http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2011/may/17/gm-sponsors-and-celebrates-soon-be-released-chi-co/ |date=18 June 2011 }}, The Washington Times General Motors said the sponsorship was a commercial alliance initiated by its Chinese joint venture and described it as "part of a strategic alignment with the film industry". The film group spokesman said Cadillac had signed a multi-year cooperation deal with the studio, not solely for the film.

The premiere event of the film took place on 8 June in Beijing, prior to its official release on 15 June. According to Han Sanping, the film was shown abroad in over 10 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, South Korea and Singapore, and that the global version of the film finished editing on 8 June. The theme song of the film is titled One Day.9 June 2011, [http://www.china.org.cn/video/2011-06/09/content_22748278_2.htm Theme song of the Founding of a Party – One Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120192914/http://www.china.org.cn/video/2011-06/09/content_22748278_2.htm |date=20 November 2022 }}, China.org.cn The IMAX version of the film was screened in only a select 20 of the 24 IMAX theatres in China.[http://www.imax.com/movies/m/the-founding-of-a-party-the-imax-experience/ Beginning of the Great Revival: The IMAX Experience] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507232243/http://www.imax.com/movies/m/the-founding-of-a-party-the-imax-experience/ |date=7 May 2011 }}, IMAX website16 June 2011, [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/china-turns-all-its-attention-to-beginning-of-the-great-revival-2298338.html China turns all its attention to 'Beginning of the Great Revival'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040312/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/china-turns-all-its-attention-to-beginning-of-the-great-revival-2298338.html |date=13 September 2018 }}, The Independent

The Chinese theatrical releases of Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 were delayed until late July, possibly to ensure that The Founding of a Party received the maximum amount of attention possible.

The international (overseas) release featured the alternate title Beginning of the Great Revival and a different cut compared to the domestic China version, and was released in North America, Australia and New Zealand on 24 June 2011.

Two days after the box office release, the film's gross exceeded RMB 50 million,19 June 2011, [http://ent.qq.com/a/20110619/000073.htm 《建党伟业》两天收5千万 追究网上盗播] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516171510/https://ent.qq.com/a/20110619/000073.htm |date=16 May 2021 }}, QQ Entertainment and there were reports that the majority of viewers were young people.何燕文, 19 June 2011, [http://roll.sohu.com/20110619/n310676849.shtml 上映三天冰城票房突破百万元年轻人观《建党伟业》引爆暑期高票房] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721134257/http://roll.sohu.com/20110619/n310676849.shtml |date=21 July 2011 }}, Sohu However, The Christian Science Monitor reported that ticket sales were inflated by mass distribution of free tickets; staff were given time off from work to see the film. Schools and government offices had to buy large numbers of tickets.{{cite news|title='Princelings' in China Use Family Ties to Gain Riches|date=17 May 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/world/asia/china-princelings-using-family-ties-to-gain-riches.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-date=20 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120192906/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/world/asia/china-princelings-using-family-ties-to-gain-riches.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|url-status=live}} Box office takings have been inflated at the expense of popular films – many complicit cinemas manually altered computerised ticket stubs for the film, allowing the viewer to see other films.Ford, Peter (11 July 2011) [http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2011/0711/How-to-ensure-a-movie-becomes-a-blockbuster-in-China-Trickery "How to ensure a movie becomes a blockbuster in China? Trickery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711201800/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2011/0711/How-to-ensure-a-movie-becomes-a-blockbuster-in-China-Trickery |date=11 July 2011 }}" The Christian Science Monitor.[http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=21&art_id=112839&sid=32958305&con_type=1&d_str=20110707&sear_year=2011 "Beginning of a great film controversy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016020828/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=21&art_id=112839&sid=32958305&con_type=1&d_str=20110707&sear_year=2011 |date=16 October 2012 }}, 7 July 2011, The Standard The Chinese media was not allowed to criticise the film.

A review by Derek Elley suggests that Han Sanping's idea of "selling" official anniversary films by cramming them full of celebrity cameos was not as successful in The Founding of a Party in comparison to his previous 2009 film The Founding of a Republic created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, although the tactic still works to a lesser extent; he suggests that the use of star cameos was inherently less panoramic because the film plot is set within a smaller scope of a 10-year period, and that the concept of star cameos is "a tad less fresh". As with Republic, Party provides a strong "ooh-look! factor" due to its familiar faces; however, very few actors get a chance to build real performances in dramatic terms. He also praises the scene designs, referring to a sequence in Beijing as having a "fairytale atmosphere". Elley rates the film overall at 7 out of 10.Derek Elley, 15 June 2011, [http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/beginning-of-the-great-revival Beginning of the Great Revival (建黨偉業)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619022058/http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/beginning-of-the-great-revival |date=19 June 2011 }}, Film Business Asia

• The Founding of a Republic

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Category:2011 films

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Category:Cultural depictions of Mao Zedong

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Category:2010s Chinese films