A seminar for the revolutionary film Light Chaser was held at the China Film Archive in Beijing earlier this week, marking the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's victory in the Long March.
Set against the Battle of Xiangjiang, one of the bloodiest engagements of the Long March (1934-36), the film follows Red Army soldiers separated from their main forces in the mountains of northern Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
The story centers on two brothers, Jinsheng and Shuisheng, who are tasked with protecting a precious medical kit. Along the way, they forge ties with the local Yao ethnic community while holding on to their revolutionary ideals. After enduring a series of hardships, Shuisheng undergoes a profound transformation and ultimately sacrifices himself to protect his comrades. Jinsheng then leads the surviving soldiers in their search for the main force.
Liao Changyou, general manager of Guangxi Cultural Industry Group, said the film steers away from grand narratives and large-scale battle scenes, instead focusing on ordinary soldiers separated from their comrades after the Battle of Xiangjiang. "It is an artistic exploration of a small entry point with a grand theme — using individual fates to reflect the power of faith and interpreting the Long March spirit through ordinary people's perseverance," he said.
Director and chief screenwriter Qiu Huaiyang said the project was inspired by oral histories of Red Army soldiers who became separated from their units in Guanyang, Guangxi.
"What moved me most was their pursuit of ideals and their unwavering commitment to their faith," he said.
He also explained the metaphorical meaning behind the film's title, Light Chaser. "Only those who find themselves in darkness, yet still hold on to a faint hope and a glimmer of possibility, are true light chasers," Qiu said.
Song Zhiqin, director of the Movie Art Center under the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said the film's focus on ordinary soldiers expands the creative possibilities of revolutionary historical films. "By focusing on ordinary people's struggles in isolation and adversity, it allows audiences to deeply feel the weight of their faith and empathize with their choices," he said.
