A moving account of historic event

The official film of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 has entered the final phase of production and is expected to premiere soon in China, with an international release scheduled later in the year.

The film, directed by multi-award-winning filmmaker Lu Chuan, captures the defining moments of Beijing 2022, such as the opening evening of Feb 4, 2022, when fireworks lit up the sky of Beijing to raise the curtain for 16 days of spectacular winter sports, many of which left an indelible mark on the memories of sports fans around the world.

Renowned director Zhang Yimou, who was the mastermind behind the grand opening ceremony of Beijing 2022, also contributed to the film as an executive producer, while another celebrated filmmaker Zhang Heping served as the general consultant.

According to Lu, the production of this film began in 2020. The crew explored all areas related to the hosting of the Games.

The film shows the collective effort of all parties involved in the organization of the games to overcome challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The film also highlights stories of the athletes, who constantly challenged themselves to pursue their Olympic dreams, as well as those of photographers, volunteers, medical personnel, and other Olympic participants.

"We shot over 700 hours of footage in multiple locations globally. There were many frustrations, but our team members also pushed themselves with the Olympic spirit," said Lu.

"We were moved and encouraged by many of the people we filmed. I hope the stories we have chosen to tell and the people we have recorded in the Official Film can leave a strong impression on the audience about the time of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022."

The Olympic Film Collection comprises more than 40 feature-length films that offer a cinematic window into defining moments in the history of the modern Games — serving as a precious historical archive of the Olympic Movement, vividly illustrating the Olympic Motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together".