Chen Kaige’s epic war trilogy finale depicts intertwined struggles

The Volunteers: Peace at Last, the finale of 73-year-old director Chen Kaige’s epic trilogy portraying a war that determined New China’s fate more than seven decades ago, is topping the single-day presale box office on the eve of the upcoming National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.

Following the first installment released in 2023 and the second in 2024, Peace at Last marks the trilogy’s third return to this highly competitive holiday box office season.

Set after the Fifth Campaign of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), the new film captures the intertwined struggles of battlefield combat and tense diplomatic negotiations. It recreates the brutal clashes of the battles of Shangganling and Kumsong, alongside the fragile talks at the negotiation table.

At the film’s Beijing premiere on Saturday, Chen expressed gratitude to audiences who have followed the trilogy over the past three years.
As the most time-consuming project in his decadeslong career, the trilogy required extensive preparation — 109 script meetings over two years and 93 additional meetings about preparations of various details like props and wardrobe. Filmed over 521 days, the three installments featured 11,469 shots, including 7,761 with special effects.

The director also highlights the symbolic use of photographs in the film: “Many of us remember, as children, standing before a table and looking at photographs, as if time had frozen in that moment. Photos are our connection to the past and to the brave and dedicated soldiers.”

Featuring such stars Zhang Zifeng, Song Jia, Zhu Yawen, Chen Feiyu and Peng Yuchang, the film will open nationwide on Sept 30.