Chen Kengran (1905-1958): Early Action Film Director

    Chen Kengran (陈铿然) was a native of Chaozhou, Guangdong, and was educated at the Shanghai Youth Association, where he became involved with its theater group as a playwright, then an actor.  In 1925, with startup money borrowed from his father, Chen established the Youlian Film Company, with himself as writer/director in addition to being studio head.  When the May 30th student demonstrations erupted, he dispatched his film crew to record it, later releasing the film as one of China's earliest documentaries.  By 1931 Youlian had produced over 40 feature films, including its most successful effort, "Huangjiang Nüxia," a 13-part series of swordswoman films directed by Chen and starring his actress wife Xu Qinfang in the title role.  In 1936, he joined the Mingxing studio as a director.  During World War II Chen worked for the China Film Company in the wartime capital of Chongqing in a non-filmmaking role, then resumed directing after the war, until failing health forced his retirement in 1954.  He died in 1958.