Recently, the former residence of Zhang Shichuan, known as the “pioneer of Chinese film”, was found in the Fourth National Archaeological Survey. On the morning of April 8, the reporter followed the staff to go to Baoqian Village, Xiapu Street, to explore the former residence with profound historical background.

Entering the gate of Zhang Shichuan’s former residence, a simple and elegant gatehouse comes into view. The grey walls, the quaint wood door, the dark tiles and the doorknob undergoing vicissitudes of time, every detail is filled with story. On the south side of the courtyard stands three wooden high-roofed bungalows. Stone piers, red stone slabs, wooden columns, window panes, beam frames, rafters and other building components retain the unique architectural style of the period of the Republic of China.

“The house was built by Zhang Shichuan, which is 105 years old. They usually live in Shanghai, and they only come back to live on holidays or when they have business.” said Hu Zhenzhu, granddaughter-in-law of Zhang Shichuan, introduced to the reporter.

According to Zhou Bo, the great-granddaughter’s husband of Zhang Shichuan, he has lived in Zhang Shichuan’s former residence for 35 years. After his marriage, he learned from his wife’s grandmother, Zhang Jinxian, that Zhang Shichuan’s special place in Chinese film history, so he cherished this former residence much. In addition to the usual tinkering, eight years ago, the former residence had a large-scale renovation.

The discovery of Zhang Shichuan’s former residence originated from the ongoing Fourth National Archaeological Survey. The staff also actively contacted descendants of Zhang Shichuan family to further confirm the authenticity of the former residence.

Born in 1891, Zhang Shichuan died in Shanghai in 1953, aged 62. His given name was Weitong, styled himself Shichuan. Born in Xiapu, Beilun, he is the outstanding representative of the first generation of Chinese director. Zhang Shichuan has directed more than 150 films in his lifetime. His works have a wide range of subjects, strong stories, and easy-to-reach and easy-to-understand directing techniques, which are deeply loved by the public.

“The discovery of Zhang Shichuan’s former residence is of great significance to the in-depth study of the history of Chinese films and the development of the Ningbobang.” Chen Yiming, a staff member of the Beilun cultural relics protection and management office, said that the next step is that the cultural relics protection department will formulate a scientific and reasonable protection plan according to the current situation and actual value of the former residence, so that the former residence bearing historical memory can be preserved for a long time. (Reporter Fan Xiaolei correspondent Chen Yiming)