Time travel vibes incoming! 🚀 Over 85 years ago, American correspondent Rey Scott risked everything to capture the Japanese bombing of Chongqing on August 19-20, 1940. Now, this jaw-dropping footage is back and restored for a new generation to see.
The documentary Kukan (which translates to bitter struggle or hard work in Chinese) was funded by Chinese-American playwright Li Ling-Ai. Filmed across Chongqing, Guizhou, Gansu and other regions of the Chinese mainland, it gives an unfiltered look at life and resilience under siege.
Released in New York on June 23, 1941, Kukan even snagged an Honorary Academy Award at the 14th Academy Awards. After the war, folk thought it was lost forever – until a squad of dedicated scholars and filmmakers from China and the US tracked it down and worked their magic to bring it back to life.
The restored version premiered at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on June 24, 2025. Watching it today is like streaming a retro documentary on your phone – but with way more historical weight and cinematic chills. 📱✨
For history buffs, film junkies or anyone curious about untold stories, this is a must-watch. Who knows? Maybe it’ll spark your own passion project next. 🎬
Video source: Western China International Communication Organization
Reference(s):
Restored documentary reveals Japanese bombing of Chongqing in WWII
cgtn.com
