The Mao Era in Objects

'Nurse’s Diary' (hushi riji 护士日记) came out in 1957, the year before China began to mass produce its own wristwatches, so all of the people depicted in the film are wearing imported watches. The main protagonists (see collage below) not only frequently changing their clothes throughout the film but also their wristwatch (including the wristwatch band). Similarly, the fountain pen was prominently featured in the film as a fashion accessory.

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