Sino-Iranian film celebrating cross-border love and cultural fusion

Chang'an, Xi'an, the pioneering Sino-Iranian film set within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, hosted a seminar at the China Film Archive earlier this week. The film revolves around a cross-border love story, intertwining modern and ancient Chinese elements. It showcases iconic symbols, such as the Chang'an China-Europe freight train and the Terracotta Warriors, representing Xi'an's rich historical legacy.

Filmmaker Narges Abyar from Iran both produced and scripted the film, which features a diverse international cast and crew from countries such as China, Iran, and Kazakhstan.

Director Zhang Zhong revealed that the narrative unfolds over 30 years and utilizes a "play within a play" structure to depict multiple timelines. Furthermore, Zhang emphasized that the film was filmed in Xi'an, the historical origin of the ancient Silk Road. This choice underscores the creative progression and innovative growth of China's deep traditional culture, promoting the exchange and mutual enrichment of diverse civilizations.

Zhang Ling, the program center's chief editor at the China Movie Channel, said that the film delves deeply into the complexities of international marriages by tracing the self-redemption journey of a Kazakh woman. Additionally, it shines a spotlight on the cultural traditions of various nations.