Library's documentary screenings serve as audiovisual archives

The National Library of China launched a documentary screening series for this year on Wednesday, highlighting the medium's role as a vital historical record and tool for public education.

At the launch ceremony, Huo Ruijuan, deputy chief librarian of the NLC, emphasized the library's mission as the country's central repository for literature and information resources. "As valuable audiovisual archives, documentaries are significant for enriching the library's collections and fulfilling its social education functions," Huo stated.

Since 2012, the library has built an extensive archive under the project China Memory, having collected 286 documentaries comprising 544 episodes.

Echoing the theme, Zhang Tongdao, director of the Documentary Center at Beijing Normal University, noted the natural synergy between documentaries and libraries as vehicles of public cultural communication.

He encouraged the public to use smartphones to document everyday life, suggesting that these personal records collectively form the country's contemporary memory.

The event featured a screening of Chaplin: The Spirit of the Tramp, directed by Carmen Chaplin, granddaughter of legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin. The film delves into Charlie Chaplin's Romany heritage through a combination of intimate family interviews, film extracts, home movies, and contributions from contemporary Roma artists.

In a post-screening discussion, Carmen Chaplin shared her journey of discovery. "Throughout the directing process, I gained a deeper appreciation for him as both a filmmaker and an audience member," she reflected.

"Through the eyes of my father and his siblings, I came to know Charlie on a more personal level."

She also reflected on the comedic legend's visits to China.

"I know he really appreciated the culture, the art, the theater, and the opera. He was a genuine admirer of this culture," she shared.

Beginning this September, the NLC documentary screening season will feature 12 outstanding domestic and international documentaries, including The Great Buster: A Celebration and David Lynch: The Art Life, paying tribute to the 130th anniversary of the art of film by revisiting their legacies. Audience members can register for the screenings through the library's official WeChat public account.