When comedy icon Charlie Chaplin's wife, Oona O'Neill Chaplin, passed away in 1991, the entire family gathered to handle the estate. While sorting through the inheritance, Victoria Chaplin discovered a locked bedside table in her father Charlie Chaplin's room. Unable to open it herself, she summoned a locksmith. When the drawer was finally opened, she found a mysterious letter inside.

Dolores Chaplin, actor and granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, speaks at a Q&A session during the second Macao International Comedy Festival, Macao, April 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

The letter was from a man named Jack Hill, who wrote, not asking for money, but simply to call out Chaplin as "a little liar." Hill claimed that Chaplin was not really born in London as stated in his autobiography, but rather in a caravan in the Black Patch area of Smethwick near Birmingham. Furthermore, Hill revealed that the caravan belonged to his aunt, who was known as the "Gypsy Queen."

"This letter was very intriguing, especially considering he received thousands of letters from fans all over the world. Yet, he chose to keep this particular letter locked away in the bedside table," Dolores Chaplin, granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, told China.org.cn on April 11 in Macao. Dolores was attending the second Macao International Comedy Festival to present the documentary film "Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp," directed by her sister Carmen Chaplin, and which she served on as one of the producers.

According to Dolores, her aunt Victoria showed the letter to her father, Michael, who still recalled how Charlie would often tell them as children, "You are part Gypsy."

"My father was a romantic who always identified with this culture," Dolores said. "He was passionate about Gypsies and Gypsy music, so he became deeply passionate about the letter and wanted to learn more. Seeing his passion, I just thought this would make a great documentary."

This was how the project "Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp" began, though it would take many years to complete, facing numerous challenges in securing financing, licenses and conducting research. The film evolved into a true family endeavor, with deep involvement from multiple generations. Family members participated both on camera — sharing personal insights and memories — and behind the scenes as producers.

A screening and Q&A session for "Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp" at the second Macao International Comedy Festival, Macao, April 10, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The project's significance lies in its potential to finally acknowledge the possible Romani heritage that may have inspired Charlie Chaplin's iconic Tramp character. Featuring intimate interviews and unprecedented access to the Chaplin estate, the documentary presents a profound exploration of Chaplin's roots. It weaves together film excerpts, home movies and archival footage, as well as contributions from movie star Johnny Depp and renowned contemporary Romani artists to tell this compelling story.

"It's very healing to do a documentary on your ancestors," Dolores said, noting it was also a journey to help fix the tumultuous relationship between Charlie and Michael. "It was healing for my father. It was healing for us, too. I found my father had a lot in common with his father — really more than he knows."

"Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp" will also be screened at the upcoming 15th Beijing International Film Festival, set to open on April 18.

Dolores believes that her grandfather is now more relevant than ever, "because he's always been somebody who defends the underdog," she said. "And in our society, there's always the underdog …. My grandfather was a humanist and he really spoke for the people and defended anybody who was pushed to the ground."

As a comedic giant, Charlie Chaplin and his films — including classics like "City Lights" (1931) and "Modern Times" (1936) — have long been revered in China. Between 1979 and 1981, China imported 19 American films, 12 of which were Chaplin comedies. While in turn, Dolores shared, "He was a big fan of China. He had a lot of beautiful artworks from China, and I could see that it was a culture he really liked."

Then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and Charlie Chaplin pose for a photo in Geneva in 1954. [File photo/Xinhua]

Charlie Chaplin's cultural significance was further cemented through historic meetings with notable Chinese figures, such as Peking opera master Mei Lanfang in the 1930s, and then Premier Zhou Enlai in 1954 when a Chinese delegation attended the Geneva Conference.

Back in the United States, however, Chaplin was accused of communist sympathies and faced political persecution, ultimately being forced to leave the U.S. in 1952 and settle in Switzerland. Decades later, history seems to be repeating itself, as the world has again become chaotic and divided. This is perhaps most evident in the United States' recent launch of a bullying tariff war against the world, particularly targeting China.

Dolores emphasized that China and the U.S. should move in the right direction and find a way forward. "The Chinese community has been so integrated into America… they should find a way."