Veterans share hard-won battles in documentary series

On July 7, 1937, Japanese troops attacked the Chinese garrison at Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, in Beijing, marking an escalation in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

As a tribute to commemorate the Chinese victory in the war, which concluded 80 years ago with the unconditional surrender of the Japanese, the documentary Lugou Bridge: Our Memorial traveled to 34 cities to interview 48 veterans and donors of war relics, attempting to piece together historical fragments through the perspectives of those who were part of it.

Zhang Yanju, the documentary's chief director, revealed at a recent Beijing seminar that the documentary was shot over 104 days. Six directors headed the production of each of the six episodes.

Most of the highlighted sequences include retracing the footsteps of Yang Jingyu, one of the founders of the forces led by the Communist Party of China in Northeast China. AI technology was used in the digital re-creation of Chen Huaimin, a pilot who sacrificed his life during the Defense of Wuhan.