The Wall Street of The Middle Kingdom and Making Movies in China Today

Stanford University will hold a panel discussion on Empire of Silver.

Christina Yao
Director of “Empire of Silver” and Stanford Alumnus

Ban Wang
William Haas Professor in Chinese Studies, Stanford University

Matthew Sommer
Associate Professor, History Department, Stanford University

George Qiao
PhD Candidate, History Department, Stanford University

This summer, an award-winning historical epic “Empire of Silver” is coming to the multiplexes in the Bay Area. This movie melds history, art, entrepreneurship, and business ethics in China one century ago. Centered on a banking family in the most powerful merchant group in traditional China, the movie illustrates the magic formula that enabled these merchants to dominate the financial and commerce worlds of China for 500 years.

Stanford alumnus and director of the film Christina Yao will share her experience in making this period film about the Wall Street of China. She will also show the movie’s trailer and a Making-Of documentary. She will introduce the current movie industry in Mainland China through examples ranging from her real-location shooting to post production. She holds a Ph.D. degree in Asian Drama from Stanford.

To provide the context in which the story of the movie took place, Stanford scholars will join in a panel discussion with Christina Yao. Prof. Ban Wang will talk about Confucianism and business ethics in history and today. Prof. Matthew Sommer will introduce the historical context of Late Qing China, in particular the business environment in a turbulent time. George Qiao, who specializes in Shanxi merchants, will trace the history of these pioneer bankers from the 14th to the 20th century. He will also examine how their unique management system, business ethics, and entrepreneurial culture were conducive to their lasting success.