Earthquake

A huge earthquake struck the city of Jinfeng in the year of 1976. Liu Xu, the proxy for the Gang of Four, locked down the news of the earthquake in order to gain power for them. Party Secretary Li on the other hand, organized all power to help the local people to fight against the aftershocks. This film originally planned during the last period of cultural revolution, with the subplot of criticizing Gang of Four added after the arrests of them. Shot on the ruins of Tangshan earthquake and finished in August 1977, the film only screened once in Guangzhou before failed to pass the censorship and sealed up forever.

Directed by Shi Wenchi, Earthquake leans on a strong ensemble — Li Yan, Li Changhua, Gao Baocheng — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1977.