Chongqing- On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, an industry screening of the documentary The Return of KUKAN, themed “Awakening Memory, Passing on the Spirit,” was held recently at the Yubei Cultural Theater. More than 200 industry professionals attended the screening, which powerfully evoked collective memory and the enduring spirit of Chongqing as a heroic city. The event drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.
The original documentary KUKAN: The Secret of Unconquerable China was conceived and funded by Chinese American artist Li Ling-Ai and filmed on location by American cameraman Rey Scott between 1939 and 1940. With his 16mm color camera, Scott traveled across Hong Kong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Chongqing, Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai, capturing vivid images of China’s wartime rear areas. The film emerged as a “living epic of resistance,” notable for its complete record of the devastating August 19, 1940, Chongqing bombing—footage of immense historical value.
In 1942, KUKAN received the very first Academy Award for Best Documentary, but fell into obscurity after the war. Rediscovered in 2009, the film became the focus of a dedicated project team in Chongqing, which undertook a comprehensive effort to collect, organize, and restore its materials. In 2025, the restoration was completed in high definition. This June, the restored version was screened and donated at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in the United States, receiving widespread acclaim.
Against this dramatic historical backdrop, The Return of KUKAN revisits wartime sites, recalls the camaraderie between the Chinese and American people, and bears witness to China’s profound transformation. It guides audiences through shared memories of struggle, resilience, and the timeless strength of the human spirit.
Group photo of the screening of The Return of KUKAN（Photo/Zhai Kui)
Tang Jianping, General Manager of the Western China International Communication Organization and director of The Return of KUKAN, delivered remarks before the screening. （Photo/Zhai Kui)
“The film brought me to tears several times. These rare historical images are deeply stirring,” said Ding Zhong, Chairman of the Chongqing Youth Film Festival, who was visibly moved. “I was also touched by today’s journalists who have taken on the mission of reviving these stories—retrieving truth from the flow of time, showcasing the indomitable spirit of Chongqing’s people, and carrying forward a cultural responsibility that never ceases. This work is profoundly meaningful.”
Ding Zhong, Chairman of the Chongqing Youth Film Festival, was interviewed by reporters. （Photo/ Naomi Yang)
“Through the thread of ‘KUKAN,’ the film presents eight decades of Chongqing people rebuilding their homes from ruins with unyielding determination,” said Professor Cai Fei of the School of Journalism and Communication at Southwest University of Political Science and Law. “What moved me most were the smiles of ordinary citizens under the shadow of war. Behind that optimism lay resilience and solidarity—the true ‘secret of unconquerable China.’”
Professor Cai Fei, School of Journalism and Communication, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, was interviewed by reporters. （Photo/ Naomi Yang)
Veteran television producer Yang Li remarked, “This documentary is remarkably rich in content. Its multi-perspective portrayal of the war, especially from a foreign cameraman’s objective lens, fills the gaps left by grand narratives. By restoring the lives and spirit of ordinary citizens, it brings greater breadth and depth to the story, making it all the more significant.”
“I’ve lived in Chongqing for nearly 20 years, yet before this screening, I had never fully felt the depth of the city’s history. I had heard of the bombings and visited arsenals and air raid shelters, but always felt a distance from history. Audience member Huang Dan shared, “The Return of KUKAN transported me back to that era, as if standing on a vast and solemn stage of history. It touched the very soul of Chongqing, planting deep roots in my heart.”
Audience member Huang Dan was interviewed by reporters. （Photo/ Naomi Yang)
Film enthusiast Xingzi said, “This film was deeply moving and truly brilliant. From its conception and content to its themes and messages, everything is exceptional. The handling of both breadth and depth created an immersive experience, awakening my pride as a Chinese and as part of the Chinese nation.”
Another viewer, Peipei, said the film reminded her that today’s achievements were hard-won, built on the courage, resilience, and perseverance of earlier generations. “That is the human spirit at its most brilliant,” she added.
Viewer Bingjuwuyu remarked, “I’m grateful to Rey Scott for risking his life to document this history, and to the journalists who persisted in their search and restoration efforts. Yesterday’s suffering and humiliation, today’s perseverance and progress—this work shows us that history has never gone far. The Chinese people remember the past, cherish peace, and will march forward to realize national rejuvenation.”
Tan Yingzi of China Daily praised the film’s global relevance, noting that The Return of KUKAN holds immense value for international communication. She highlighted its rich archival material, vivid interviews, and moving stories and recommended producing bilingual or multilingual subtitles as soon as possible to enable wider global dissemination.