Resentments (1926)

    Although Hu Die had one previous screen appearance, in 1925's "Battle Exploits," she wrote In her memoirs that she considered "Resentments" to be the true start of her movie career, as it was her first role of any substance and led to more lead roles and eventually stardom.  After the small part in her first film, in which she had only a few brief scenes, the future "Empress of Film" was feeling frustrated and beginning to question whether she had made the right career choice.  She credited her film school classmate Xu Qinfang and the latter's husband Chen Kengran at their Youlian studio for restoring her confidence by casting her with the lead in this movie, which led to lead roles with larger studios, and eventually the top spot at Mingxing.

Qiu Shan Yuan (1926) 秋扇怨 (Resentments)
literal English title:  Autumn Stirs Up Resentments

    Youlian.  Silent.  8 reels.  Premiered January 10, 1926 at the Palace Theater in Shanghai.  Direction and Screenplay:  Chen Kengran.  Cinematography:  Zhou Ke.  Cast:  Hu Die (Shen Liqiong), Wen Yimin (Xu Yuhui), Xu Qinfang (Chen Shuzhen), Lin Xuehuai (Wu Yi), Zhao Diansheng (Chen Wenyi), Yuan Yijun (Mother Chen), Zhang Zhengxia (Tang Biying). 

[a faithful wife, abused and betrayed]

     Xu Yuhui, the scion of a wealthy family, is having an affair with a woman named Tang Biying, and when he flaunts the extramarital relationship his wife Shen Liqiong tries to drown herself.   Her cousin Wu Yi jumps in and pulls her out, but the exertion causes them both to collapse on the river bank.  Lawyer Chen Wenyi and his sister, Doctor Chen Shuzhen, are passing by, and she revives the pair.  The Chens take Liqiong and Wu Yi back to their home.  When Wu learns why his cousin attempted suicide, he urges her to stay with the Chens rather than return home. She stays for a while, and by the time Liqiong leaves she and Shuzhen have become good friends.
     Trading in rice is one of Xu Yuhui’s business interests, and when the area is stricken by drought, producing a shortage of rice and considerable hardship for the common people, he exploits the situation by raising his prices unreasonably.  One day when Shuzhen comes calling to see how Liqiong is doing, Yuhui makes advances to the doctor which she rejects.  His resentment at this festers, and when he learns Shuzhen and Wu Yi are planning to go riding together, he tampers with her horse’s saddle so that it will throw her during the ride.  When she falls and is slightly injured, Wu Yi takes her to the nearest house, seeking help.  The isolated farmhouse turns out to be occupied by a thug named Ma Chenglong.  He overpowers Wu Yi and locks the couple in the attic, but the captives escape through a skylight.    
    During the time that Liqiong had stayed with the Chens, she and Wenyi developed a strong mutual attraction.  But despite his repeated declarations of love for her, she always declined, believing it her duty to remain with her husband in spite of his adultery and abuse. When Shuzhen and Wu Yi return and tell what has happened to them, Wenyi starts an investigation.  He finds that a servant had seen Yuhui tamper with the saddle.  For Liqiong this is too much and she turns against Yuhui.  When he is brought to trial she tells the whole story of his past misdeeds.  By now, Ma Chenglong has been captured.  Ma also testifies, stating in court he was hired by Xu Yuhui to lock up the couple.  Xu Yuhui is sentenced to prison, and after he is taken away his mistress Tang Biying takes as much of his wealth as she can carry and flees.  Sitting in his prison cell, Xu Yuhui recalls how good Liqiong had been to him and is filled with regret.  He repents his actions too late.
     
     [right, ready to testify against her faithless and criminal husband]