Red Army's epic film aims to boost tourism in Guizhou

A promotional event for the upcoming historical epic Crossing was held on Thursday in Beijing's Huairou district, coinciding with the opening of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival.

The film, centered on a legendary campaign by the Red Army during the Long March (1934-36), has been jointly produced by Guizhou's publicity authorities and the Bona Film Group. It is scheduled for release on June 26.

The campaign, widely regarded as a miraculous military endeavor led by Mao Zedong, saw the outnumbered Red Army outmaneuver pursuing forces through flexible tactics and strategic ingenuity, ultimately breaking the enemy's encirclement.

Speaking at the event, chief producer Yu Dong said the project aims to bring revolutionary history closer to younger audiences through modern cinematic storytelling.

"We hope to transform what many people know only from textbooks into a vivid, immersive experience," he said, noting that the film was shot on location in Guizhou province to ensure historical authenticity and visual impact.

At the same event, Xie Nian, executive deputy head of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China's Guizhou Provincial Committee, unveiled a series of tourism initiatives linked to the film. These include ticket-based travel discounts and integrated cultural experiences designed to boost "red tourism" in the province.

"Guizhou is rich in revolutionary heritage," Xie said. "Through Crossing, we aim to showcase both the epic history of the Long March and the province's natural and cultural landscapes."

Director Xu Zhanxiong highlighted the production's commitment to realism, explaining that the crew retraced historical routes and filmed across more than 100 locations. "Only by being in this land can we truly understand how such a miracle in military history was possible," he said.

Actors including Liu Ye and Wang Lei also shared their experiences portraying key historical figures, emphasizing the emotional depth and enduring relevance of the Long March spirit.

The event forms part of a broader effort to integrate film and tourism, inviting audiences to "follow Crossing to explore Guizhou" and engage with China's revolutionary past in new ways.