As a young missionary, Richard Wilhelm in 1899 to China, which was then exploited by the colonial powers. He lived there revolts against foreigners, the end of the imperial dynasties and the First World War. In these times of turbulent upheavals he was indefatigable in search of the deepest truth that helps people deal with change and able to shape their own lives. Richard Wilhelm baptized not only Chinese, but accomplished one of the largest translation services of the 20th century: Confucius, LAOTSE the most important texts of Daoism and especially the I CHING THE BOOK OF CHANGES. The book also served many readers in the West as inspiration. Wilhelm is still one of the most important mediators of Chinese culture in Europe.
Production
Rare archival footage of pre-revolutionary China feels haunted.
Writing
Narration treats colonialism with refreshing moral complexity.
Director
Bettina Wilhelm
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Bettina Wilhelm is Richard's granddaughter—she found his letters in a family attic in 1998.
Wilhelm's I Ching translation became the bible for 1960s counterculture; Carl Jung wrote the introduction that launched a million hippie misreadings.
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