Gung Ho – Rewi Alley of China (1980)

During the tumultuous 20th century in China, Rewi Alley, a New Zealander living abroad, became a key figure and supporter of the Communist Revolution. As Japan’s invasion loomed in the late 1930s, Alley created an innovative cooperative industrial movement called 'gung ho,' meaning 'work together.' This initiative changed factory operations in China and entered popular language. In 1979, director Geoff Steven and his crew traveled 15,000 kilometers across China to document Alley’s life, with Alley himself as the narrator. This documentary provides a personal look at Alley's compelling experiences, exploring his strength, his connection to Chinese culture, and his political work during a time of great change. Co-writer Geoff Chapple later wrote a detailed biography of Alley, offering a more complete understanding of his life and lasting impact.