Watch The Founding of a Republic

In 2009, the epic Chinese historical drama film, "The Founding of a Republic," hit theaters, directed by Jianxin Huang and Sanping Han. The movie retells the story of the Chinese Revolution in 1949, and the birth of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Set in the intense and nation-shaking period between 1945 to 1949, the movie portrays the crucial moments and events leading to the CCP's rise to power, including the final fight against the Nationalist Party and the establishment of the first Chinese government.

The movie features an ensemble cast of China's most famous actors and actresses, including Guoqiang Tang as Mao Zedong, Guoli Zhang as Zhou Enlai, and Qing Xu as Soong Ching-ling, and over 200 other well-known actors who portrayed historical figures, such as General Zhu De, Chen Yi, and Deng Xiaoping.

The storyline revolves around the central character, Mao Zedong - the iconic leader of the Chinese Communist Party. Mao is passionately determined to unite the country and bring socialism to their land. Together with his comrades, they fight against the corrupt Nationalist Party's regime led by the ambitious warlord, Chiang Kai-shek, to seize power in China.

The Founding of a Republic takes us on a journey through the Revolution's significant events, including the signing of the Double Tenth Agreement, the Northern Expedition, the Xi'an Incident, and the battle with the Nationalist troops on the Yangtze River.

The portrayal of the characters in the movie is awe-inspiring. The filmmakers tried to make the characters as realistic as possible, presenting them with their peculiar attitudes, mannerisms, and speech styles. In each scene, Mao's character brought the necessary gravitas and charisma to the screen, and at the same time, we get to see his vulnerable moments of depression and despair.

Another character who deserves special mention is Zhou Enlai, played by Guoli Zhang, who exudes a calm and composed demeanor that compliments Mao's fiery character. He works tirelessly to support Mao and his comrades and is often seen mediating internal conflicts within the Communist Party. Zhou Enlai is depicted as an inspirational figure instrumental in the CCP's success.

The movie's production values are pitch-perfect, from the epic battle scenes to the beautiful period costumes and sets. The movie also features some emotional musical scores by the famous composer, Shigeru Umebayashi, and popular Chinese singer, Wei Song. The musical score heightens the emotional impact of the movie's most poignant moments.

Despite its remarkable production quality, the movie sparked some controversy in China. Some members of the Nationalist Party accused it of being a political propaganda movie that glorified the CCP's founding fathers at the expense of the Nationalists. The criticism notwithstanding, The Founding of a Republic was a massive box-office success, grossing over $60 million at the box office.

In summary, The Founding of a Republic is an absorbing historical drama that highlights one of the most pivoting moments in Chinese history. It is impressive how the movie managed to depict the founding of the PRC with such depth and complexity while keeping the attention of the viewers captivated. If you ever come across the movie, it is well worth your time.