Revolutionary upheavals characterized China's twentieth century, and Ying Qian's Revolutionary Becomings offers a sophisticated exploration of how documentary film was not merely a passive observer but an integral, eventful component of these seismic shifts. Published by Columbia University Press in 2024, this academic work argues that the medium of documentary film functioned as a unique prism through which to investigate the deeply entwined histories of media and China's revolutionary movements. By framing film as an active participant in the political landscape, Qian challenges traditional linear narratives of history, revealing instead a complex interplay between representation and reality.
This paperback edition presents a rigorous examination suitable for scholars of Sinology, media studies, and modern Chinese history, providing essential context for understanding how visual culture shaped and was shaped by one of the most turbulent centuries in human history. The text is written in English, ensuring accessibility for an international audience of researchers and students looking to deepen their understanding of the intersection between technology, politics, and cultural memory in modern China.