Gung Ho – Rewi Alley of China

In the turbulent 20th century China, Rewi Alley, a New Zealand expatriate, emerged as one of the most prominent foreign figures and champions of the Communist Revolution. As Japan threatened to invade during the late 1930s, Alley initiated an innovative industrial co-operative movement named 'gung ho,' which translates to 'work together.' This successful endeavor not only transformed the way Chinese factories operated but also left its mark on global vocabulary.A film crew led by director Geoff Steven embarked on a 15,000 km journey across China in 1979 with a single purpose: to document Alley's extraordinary life story as told by the man himself. This documentary offers an intimate insight into Rewi Alley's complex and captivating experiences, weaving a tale of personal resilience, cultural immersion, and political activism in a rapidly changing China. Co-writer Geoff Chapple later expanded on this remarkable narrative by writing a comprehensive biography of Alley, providing readers with an even deeper understanding of his life's work and legacy.