Bu Wancang | |
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Chinese name | 卜萬蒼 (traditional) |
Chinese name | 卜万苍 (simplified) |
Born | 1903 Anhui, China |
Died | 1974 Hong Kong |
Occupation | Film director |
Years active | 1920s-1960s |
Bu Wancang (simplified Chinese: 卜万苍; traditional Chinese: 卜萬蒼; pinyin: Bǔ Wàncāng) (1903–1974) was a prolific Chinese film director and screenwriter active between the 1920s and the 1960s. He is also known by his Cantonese name, Baak Maan Chong, and his English name, Richard Poh. He was born in Anhui.
Originally a member of the Shanghai cinema scene, Bu worked for several studios before becoming a major director for the Mingxing Film Company. By 1931, Bu moved to Mingxing's rival, Lianhua, where he directed such films as Love and Duty (1931) and Peach Blossom Weeps Tears of Blood (1931) (both with actress Ruan Lingyu).
As the war with Japan intensified Bu made several films with subtle patriotic themes, most notably 1939's Mulan Joins the Army. Once Japanese control over Shanghai was complete, however, Bu was eventually forced to make several propaganda films for the occupiers, notably Eternity in 1943. After the war, he was ostracized by his colleagues for these films, causing him to move to Hong Kong in 1948 where he continued to make films until his retirement.