A feature-length documentary — created by the University Library System’s East Asian Library and Dartmouth Library — about the memories of those who experienced China’s Cultural Revolution will have its virtual premiere on Nov. 12.

“The Revolution They Remember” is based on two video oral history projects:

• The Cultural Revolution: 10 (CR/10) Project — started in 2015 by the head of Pitt’s East Asian Library, Haihui Zhang — recorded, preserved and published video interviews with Chinese citizens sharing their memories and impressions of China’s Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution from 1966-1976.
• The Down to the Countryside Movement project, created by the Dartmouth Library, includes interviews with former “Rusticated Youth,” young people who were relocated to China’s rural areas during the Cultural Revolution.

In 2019, the University of Pittsburgh Library System received a one-year grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to support the creation of a feature-length documentary featuring selections from the interviews from these two projects, as well as images contributed by interview participants, archival footage and photos. The film also includes commentary by scholars of modern Chinese history.

The screening on Nov. 12 will start at 7 p.m. and be followed by a Q&A session with the documentary team.

Registration is required. A link to access the virtual event will be sent out when registration is completed.