(China Every day) A legendary determine of the eleventh century, Shen Kuo excelled throughout an astonishing vary of disciplines — from redefining the calendar and formulating pioneering mathematical ideas to recording the primary recognized description of petroleum in Chinese language historical past, remarkably inside a poem. Marking the 930th anniversary of his demise, a three-episode documentary named after the Northern Tune Dynasty (960-1127) polymath not too long ago aired on Zhejiang Tv, incomes reward from insiders and researchers.
In keeping with scriptwriter Fang Yuan, asking historical past fans about Shen typically yields a variety of impressions.
Regardless of his scientific masterpiece, Meng Xi Bi Tan (Dream Pool Essays) — a 30-volume assortment hailed as “historic China’s encyclopedia” — Shen’s legacy is advanced. Among the many most debatable points is the long-held suspicion that he performed a job in framing his pal Su Shi, an act that had devastating penalties. Su, certainly one of China’s most well-known literary giants, was exiled thrice, trekking over 3,700 kilometers from the dynasty’s capital to the distant Danzhou in Hainan province.
“We did not need to gloss over these controversies. However by way of in-depth interviews with specialists and cross-referencing a number of historic sources, we now have demonstrated that Shen had no involvement in framing Su. He was fully wronged,” Fang mentioned at a latest seminar in Beijing.
Chen Hong, deputy head of the documentary educational committee of China Tv Artists Affiliation, remarked that the documentary fills an vital hole in public historical past. “Whereas Chinese language documentaries have lengthy emphasised emperors, generals, and poets, portrayals of scientific pioneers have remained comparatively scarce,” he added.
Scriptwriter Fang Yuan shares her artistic journey of the documentary Shen Kuo at a latest seminar in Beijing. 
Solid and crew members collect for the documentary Shen Kuo.
Supply: By Xu Fan | chinadaily.com.cn | Up to date: 2025-11-26 15:29
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