Documentary series ‘Century Master’ to start shooting second season

The filmmakers for TV documentary series Century Master, which focuses on the lives of several important figures in Chinese history, held a press conference at the Hall of Martial Valor at the Palace Museum on Monday to announce that shooting on the second season of the show is about to begin.

The first season of Century Master, which aired on CCTV, mainly focused on the stories of outstanding Chinese painters such as Qi Baishi (18641957), a notable watercolor master; Xu Beihong (18951953), famous for his Chinese ink paintings of horses and birds and the pioneer of Chinese modern art; and Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), one of the most prodigious artist in the 20th century.

According to Han Bing, the general director of Century Master, this season, however, aims to introduce distinguished Chinese architects, with the goal of painting a full picture of the development and evolution of Chinese art.

“I just want to convey the architects’ thought process and the initial ideas that lie behind their designs,” Han told media at the conference.

According to Han, the series will introduce Zhan Tianyou (1861-1919), a famous pioneering Chinese railroad engineer; Mao Yisheng (1896-1989), an expert on bridge construction; Liang Sicheng (1901-72), the father of modern Chinese architecture; and Yang Yanbao (1901-82), one of the “Four Modern Masters of Architecture in China.”

More than 50 officials attended announcement.

The documentary is being produced with the support of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC), Chinese Media Group, Chinese National Academy of Arts, Central Studio of News Reels Production and Bainian Yizun Culture Communication Ltd.