Dong Keyi (1906-1973)

     In the history of Chinese cinematography, Dong Keyi (董克毅) is legendary, not only for his films, but also for the development of its technology.  Dong was born in Ningpo, Zhejiang (also the hometown of the Shaw brothers).  A childhood fascination with photography led to a career when at the age of 18 he joined the Mingxing studio as an apprentice.  After assisting on one film, 1924's "Guided Marriage," he became the studio's principal cinematographer the following year, making six films, including such successes as "The Last Conscience" and "Young Master Feng."  The exact number of films Dong worked on during his four decade career is uncertain, but is believed to be upwards of 300.  His rapid rise was due in large measure to his devotion to the technology and his innovations, spending much of his time off studying American and European technical journals, which led to his being the first Chinese cinematographer to employ such advanced techniques and devices as double exposure, reverse images, slow motion, special effects lenses, light meters, polarimeters, motorized variable speed cameras, etc.  After the Mingxing studio was shut down by the Japanese, he worked for the wartime "orphan island" studios Datong, Guohua and Zhonglian.  He moved to Hong Kong in 1950, where he joined the Great Wall studio as a cinematographer.  He officially retired in 1962 but continued as a consultant and teacher for Hong Kong studios until his death in 1973.