The film:
Song of the Fishermen was reportedly the most profitable Chinese film of the 1930s. This musical melodrama focuses on the hardships of fishermen of the East China Sea. Kitty Xu (Wang Renmei) and Monkey Xu (Han Langen) are sister and brother in a fishing family on the brink of destitution in the 1920s. When their mother is fired from her job as a maid in the home of their rich friend He Ziying (Luo Peng), the family’s suffering increases. As teenagers in the 1930s, Kitty and Monkey go to Shanghai in search of work, while Ziying is sent abroad to study fishing techniques. Further tragedies bring the three together again back in their hometown. Will they find a better life?
The hit title song, “Song of the Fishermen” appears three times in the film.
Yuguang qu
Written and directed by Cai Chusheng
Lianhua (second studio)
Date of release: June 14, 1934
Cast: Wang Renmei, Han Langen, Tang Tianxiu, Shi Renjie, Qian Huang, Tan Ying, Luo Peng, Yuan Congmei, Shang Guanwu, Pei Yiwei, Wang Moqiu, Hong Jingling
56 minutes
English subtitles translated by Christopher Rea
Subtitles created by Liu Yuqing
Learn More
Listen to and watch the first version of the theme song, “Song of the Fishermen” (kids’ version):
Listen to and watch the second version of the theme song, “Song of the Fishermen” (montage):
Listen to and watch the third version of the theme song, “Song of the Fishermen” (ending):
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