Pengnian Ren

Ren Pengnian 任彭年(1894-1968.2.23) .  Director.  Native of Shanghai.  Trained at the Anglo-Chinese Book Guild, then joined the Shanghai Commercial Press at age 16.  In 1918, transferred to theCommercial Press's new Motion Picture Division.  Directed first film in 1919, a two-reel comedy titled "The Gambler."  In 1921, Ren directed his first feature film, the highly successful "Yan Ruisheng" for the China Shadow Play Research Society.  In 1926, started the Orient Film Company, to direct "The Worker's Wife."  Became one of China's first generation of swordsman film directors in 1928, when he formed the Bright Moon film studio and directed its 13 part serial "Northeast Hero."  (His future wife and business partner Wu Lizhu, had the female lead, becoming one of the first swordswomen heroines.)  In 1935, directed the anti-Japanese film "Dark Violence," after which he returned to directing such martial arts epics as the six-part "Mistress of the Spear."  As did many in the Chinese...