Shanghai’s revolutionary legacy has been brought to life through an innovative documentary series that premiered on Tuesday. The 10-episode production, titled ‘Tellings of History,’ employs cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology alongside first-person narratives to revitalize the city’s Communist Party heritage for contemporary audiences.
The micro-documentary format presents concise three to five minute episodes, each focusing on historically significant landmarks that played pivotal roles in the founding and early development of the Communist Party of China. The series breaks from traditional documentary conventions by implementing a multi-perspective narrative approach that gives voice to historical figures, artifacts, and locations.
Through sophisticated storytelling techniques, historical personalities recount their experiences in first-person accounts, while revolutionary artifacts are personified to convey the enduring power of faith and preservation. Historical sites themselves serve as narrators, weaving together crucial events and the figures who shaped them.
The production team has integrated various artistic elements and digital technologies to enhance viewer engagement. The visual presentation combines 2D animations with real scenes and woodblock prints, creating distinctive aesthetic styles tailored to each story.
Most notably, the documentary utilizes AI-generated content technology to digitally reconstruct disappeared historical sites such as the Huishan wharf and animate historical figures previously known only through photographic records. This technological innovation allows the series to transform static exhibitions into dynamic narratives designed to resonate with younger demographics.
The series airs weekly on Tuesday evenings through Dragon TV’s documentary segment and receives simultaneous distribution across multiple digital platforms including Kan Dongfang app, Bilibili, Douyin, Weibo, and WeChat channels.