AI-Enhanced 1917 Footage Reveals Daily Life in Republican China
A YouTube user known as Rick88888888 has released an AI-enhanced and colorized version of 1917 film footage showing daily life in Beijing, China. The original footage was shot by Benjamin Brodsky for his documentary A Trip through China, recorded over five to ten years. Only two fragments totaling 18 minutes survive, preserved at the New Zealand Film Archive and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The restorer, with 15 years of experience, applied motion stabilization, speed correction, contrast and brightness enhancement, noise reduction, dust removal, upscaling to HD, and colorization using AI tools. The footage depicts street scenes, tradespeople, children playing, acrobats, a funeral, and views of the Forbidden City. The year 1917 marked China's early years as the Republic of China after the Xinhai Revolution ended dynastic rule.
Key facts
- Footage from 1917 shows daily life in Beijing, China.
- Original film by Benjamin Brodsky titled A Trip through China.
- Only 18 minutes of footage survive, held by New Zealand Film Archive and UCLA Film & Television Archive.
- Restoration by YouTube user Rick88888888 using AI tools.
- Enhancements include motion stabilization, speed correction, contrast, brightness, sharpness, noise reduction, dust removal, upscaling to HD, and colorization.
- Scenes include street life, trades, children, acrobats, a funeral, and the Forbidden City.
- 1917 was early Republic of China era after Xinhai Revolution.
- Restorer has 15 years of experience in film restoration.
Entities
Artists
- Benjamin Brodsky
- Rick88888888
Institutions
- New Zealand Film Archive
- UCLA Film & Television Archive
Locations
- China
- Beijing
- Forbidden City