Shirley MacLaine went to China in 1975 and brought back revolution—minus the propaganda.
Documentary on mainland Chinese life. Directed, produced, written, and narrated by Shirley MacLaine, the film follows her First American Women’s Friendship Delegation to China. The delegation consisted of all women, including a four-woman film crew.
Direction
MacLaine's hands-on hustle: she shot, narrated, risked visa drama.
Production
All-woman crew sneaking cameras into 1970s China? Legend behavior.
Director
Shirley MacLaine
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
MacLaine financed this herself after studios balked at a 'communist travelogue.' It lost money but became a feminist film school staple.
The delegation was deliberately all-women because Chinese officials were more comfortable hosting female Americans during détente—MacLaine weaponized diplomatic sexism into access.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
