Reddit mentions of The Search for Modern China (Third Edition)

[https://www.amazon.com/Search-Modern-China-Third/dp/0393934519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487811047&sr=8-1&keywords=the+search+for+modern+china](You need this book) and [https://www.amazon.com/China-Henry-Kissinger/dp/0143121316/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487811112&sr=8-1&keywords=On+China](this book)

It is impossible to answer your question without understanding the "Century of Humiliation." A lot of that is still prevalent in modern China, and those two books will be some solid go-tos. Spence focuses on China; Kissinger discusses the United States.

Edit: I have no idea why it is not formatting correctly.

I know you're looking for films, but Jonathan Spence is extremely thorough in his writings, and simply tells the story without injecting his opinion.

French sinologist Lucien Bianco's Origins of the Chinese Revolution does a pretty good job too of articulating post-Qing to early Mao times.

A textbook I used by Jonathan Spence (The Search for Modern China) was incredibly easy to read, huge, and oddly enjoyable. Unfortunately, for the poli sci course I took on the subject is a jumble of journal articles mixed up in my head, plus a book focused on the May 4th Generation.

If you haven't already found some of them, here's three places I use for a quick reference:

• China Vitae: Biographical and other information of most major (and minor) officials
  
  
• ChinaSmack: Translates a selection of comments from various Chinese message boards into English on topics that are trending (the expat comments at the bottom are a nightmare)
  
  
• Politburo Possibilities: The Contenders for China’s New Generation of Leaders: A web article with a breakdown of possible contenders for politburo, including a small bio, and a(n oversimplified) idea of their political standing. I keep it bookmarked as a quick-reference
  
  China is a favourite topic of mine, so I'm always on the lookout for more (quality) sources. :)