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Yan Ruisheng is a 1921 Chinese silent film directed by Ren Pengnian, starring Chen Shouzi and Wang Caiyun. A docudrama based on the murder of Wang Lianying the previous year, it follows a young man named Yan Ruisheng who kills a courtesan to steal her jewellery. When the crime is discovered, he and his accomplices flee, but Yan is captured and executed. China's first full-length feature film, Yan Ruisheng was produced as domestic short films were becoming increasingly common. It emphasized accuracy to real life in its casting and setting; the stars were chosen based on their physical resemblance to those involved, while extensive use of location shooting allowed scenes to be set in places associated with the murder. A commercial success upon release, the critical reception of its technical aspects was positive but the subject matter was challenged and the film faced several calls for banning. The film is thought to be lost. (Full article...)

March 16

The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a small passerine bird in the accentor family, Prunellidae. It is native to much of temperate Europe and parts of southwest Asia, including the Caucasus, northern Iran and Lebanon, and is also widely distributed in New Zealand after being introduced there in the 19th century. The dunnock inhabits lowland environments such as woodlands, shrubs, hedgerows and gardens, where it usually feeds on the ground. About 14 centimetres (5.5 in) long, it has a streaked brown back and grey head, a fine pointed bill, and produces a thin, tinkling song and a shrill tseep call. Dunnocks build nests low in bushes or conifers and typically lay three to five unspotted blue eggs. Their breeding system is variable, with different combinations of males and females sometimes sharing parental care. Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp Recently featured: Lauren Bacall Columbus, Ohio Scoliidae Archive More featured pictures

Commons picture of the day
A pair of white storks mating in Nové Veselí, Czech Republic.