Annotation

Originally published in Guangzhou, Film Tribune moved to Hong Kong in May 1945 after failing to obtain a permit from the Nationalist government. Marking it out from most other film magazines was its claim to be ‘the only advanced-level film magazine’. Its first issue sold 7,000 copies (including a reprint). In addition to paying attention to ‘national film’ (ie, films in Mandarin) and Cantonese film, it featured detailed information and reviews of films and the film industry, and much professional cinematography information. It was written chiefly in Chinese with a few captions in English. Sales were conducted through contracted agents in various Chinese cities, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Singapore and San Francisco. Its ‘Precise Monthly Record’ column featured regular reports on the film industry, making it an important source of information for understanding the film industry of Southern China in the 1940s.