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Today in History: Yan Ruisheng's first full-length Chinese film debuted Shanghai

7/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On July 1, 1921 Shanghai premiered *Yan Ruisheng*, China’s first full-length silent film. Directed by Ren Pengnian and starring Chen Shouzi and Wang Caiyun, the docudrama dramatizes the 1920 murder of Wang Lianying, depicting Yan’s theft, flight, capture in Xuzhou and execution in Shanghai.

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Story summary

On July 1, 1921 Shanghai premiered *Yan Ruisheng*, China’s first full-length silent film. Directed by Ren Pengnian and starring Chen Shouzi and Wang Caiyun, the docudrama dramatizes the 1920 murder of Wang Lianying, depicting Yan’s theft, flight, capture in Xuzhou and execution in Shanghai.