Manchukuo Film Association Co., Ltd. during the puppet Manchukuo period

Manchukuo Film Association Co., Ltd. during the puppet Manchukuo period

Manchukuo Film Association Co., Ltd. during the puppet Manchukuo period, abbreviated as "Manying," was a film production, shooting, and distribution institution of the puppet state of Manchukuo. It was planned by the "Manchurian Film National Policy Research Council," centered around the Japanese Kwantung Army and the puppet Manchukuo police, and established on August 21, 1937. In its early days, it initially borrowed the second floor of a Japanese woolen goods store to serve as its office, and temporarily used an abandoned platform at Kuanchengzi Railway Station as a makeshift studio. In November 1939, the Manying studios located on Hongxi Street (now Hongqi Street) were completed, and from then on, Manying moved into the new premises. At the same time, Gempo Masahiko took over as chairman.

"Manying" was a special national policy corporation of the puppet state of Manchukuo, entrusted with a unique mission: "to align closely with Japan and, through the medium of film, wage ideological and propaganda warfare both domestically and internationally!" This shows that the fundamental starting point of "Manying" was not primarily to provide entertainment to the public through film, but rather to use this easily accessible form to instill colonial ideology and culture among the populace, treating film as a tool for propaganda.

The films produced by "Manying" were divided into three categories: entertainment films (feature films), enlightenment films (documentaries and educational films), and current affairs films (newsreels). During its eight-year existence, "Manying" produced a total of 108 feature films. Among them, national policy films promoting ideas such as "Japan-Manchukuo friendship," "harmony among the five ethnic groups," and the "Kingdom of Benevolent Government" occupied a prominent position. These were national policy films that propagated Japan, glorified Japanese aggression, beautified the puppet Manchukuo regime, and slandered the Eighth Route Army—films with reactionary ideologies.

In addition to film production, "Manying" was also authorized to handle film distribution and export operations. It controlled over 200 cinemas across the puppet Manchukuo territory. Aside from distributing films within the puppet state, it also signed film import and export agreements with countries such as Italy and Germany, exchanging films with one another.

"Manying" also established an actors' training institute, a training center, and a youth school, training a total of more than 400 students. When Manying was first established, it had only 100 staff members. By November 1, 1944, the number of employees had grown to 1,857, making it a sizable film production and distribution organization.

On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its surrender. On the morning of the 20th, Gempo Masahiko, the chairman of "Manying," committed suicide, leading to the dissolution of the organization. What remains today are the former offices and studios of the puppet Manying, along with the later restored Huxi Guild Hall.

Source: Changchun Municipal Tourism Bureau