Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities The Director
Aug 28, 2025
Discover the ruthless life of Shiwandi, China's first emperor, who sought control and immortality while suppressing dissent. Transitioning to Hollywood, explore the rise of the auteur in the late 1960s through the journey of a young filmmaker chasing his dreams. Dive into the mysterious legacy of Alan Smithy, a pseudonym for directors who felt disconnected from their projects, revealing a unique side of the movie industry. These tales intertwine history and cinema, showcasing the curious paths of ambition and creativity.
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Rise And Paranoid Rule Of Shi Huangdi
- Shi Huangdi rose from a traumatized youth to unify seven warring states and declare himself China's first emperor.
- His cruelty, legalist rule, and obsession with immortality led to book burnings, mass executions, and a tomb guarded by 8,000 terracotta warriors.
Unity Through Power Versus Culture
- Shi Huangdi's centralized, efficient rule built major projects like the early Great Wall but failed to win popular loyalty.
- The Han dynasty later forged the lasting cultural unity that Qin unified politically.
Faking The Emperor's Life After Death
- When Shi Huangdi died in 211 BC his attendants hid his corpse, pretended he was alive, and faked a will to avoid political collapse.
- They masked the smell with smelly fish and installed an impressionable son who was soon deposed.