A lot of expats come to Shanghai with a special complex to its heydays during 1930s' upheaval. While most sit back to watch this glorious history on TV and movies, some of them have been out there making movies about the haunting period and its aftermath on this modern-day metropolis.

Building 173

Former BBC China correspondent Charlotte Mikkelborg and Swedish-born Chicago-educated filmmaker Petter Eldin are two pioneers. They bring to life three quarters of a century of Shanghai history through exploiting a 1930s colonial building in central downtown and talking to seven principal residents in the building about the unspeakables. In order to bring the history and present together, this 50-minute documentary, Building 173, mixed animation graphic and filming which generates a cross-generation illusion.

Watch Building 173 and meet director Petter Eldin at Vienna Cafe on April 16. Free

The Characters

What really fascinate us are the seven characters the two directors interviewed for the documentary. Some of them played a key role in different phases of the history spanning over three generations.

• Linda Tan: the granddaughter of the original owner of Building 173
• Roger Du: Linda's husband and the son of Shanghai’s most infamous gangster Du Yue Sheng in 1930s
• Old Liu: the lift operator of Building 173 since 1937
• Gregory Patent: current foreign resident and acclaimed chef
• Mr. Cai: the building's former western-educated manager
• Zheng Shan Ming: a [red-guard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Guards_(China) campaign witness
• Bai Xiao Ping: Chinese opera singer

Interview with Petter Eldin

1. CW: When was the documentary shot and produced?
Petter: We began shooting the movie about a year ago. We had 17 shooting days over 4 months. Since we used different animation techniques to bring the past alive, everything had to be carefully planned. Also, we were on a tight budget. Then we spent three months in post-production, producing the animations etc.

2. CW: How did you and Charlotte work together?
Petter: We complement each other well. She’s a journalist and writer, and I’m an image maker. So naturally, she spent more time on the structure of the film, and I more on how to visually illustrate the stories. But in the end of the day filmmaking is group work. And that’s the beauty of it.

3. CW: What inspired you and Charlotte to make the film?
Petter: Before I came here, I always confused Shanghai with Singapore. After a while I learned that Shanghai possesses powerful history. And that’s what inspired me. Making this film was like a seven month intensive history class.

4. CW: Did you meet any obstacles in interviewing the seven people? What are they?
Petter: People generally like to share their stories. To communicate is a vital part of being human. Though, while doing research, there were a few people who didn’t want to participate in the movie, for whatever reason, and that we respect.

5. CW: What is the most difficult part in making this film?
Petter: The basic idea of the film is to tell the history of Shanghai through the stories of one building. The stories from the building needed to be personal, but yet reflect the bigger picture. And then these separate stories needed to make sense as film.

6. CW: Do you plan to make new documentaries about historical building in Shanghai? If so, which building will it be?
Petter: No, no more buildings. But I’d consider the Great Wall. It’s such an amazing structure.

7. CW: If you were going to recommend a restaurant, a bar, a fashion boutique and a park to our readers, what would they be?
Petter:
Bar: Can’t remember the name, but it’s a small Japanese place in an alley by Wuding Lu. It might be called Moki.
Restaurant: Guyi
Fashion Boutique: I’d say H&M because I’m Swedish. But I don’t really do shopping.
Park: The amusement area in Fuxing Park is a lot of fun.