Chinese director Wuershan says he is devoting to his aspiration to present Chinese culture's charm to the world by creating more films featuring Chinese mythologies and legendary epics.
With his epic fantasy film "Creation of the Gods" series, Wuershan has built a cinematic universe around China's legendary Shang dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.).
The film trilogy is based on "Investiture of the Gods," which is a well-known mythology in the country. The first installation "Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms" became a hit at domestic cinemas last summer.
"I think all Chinese people have imagined this. It's the world we've always had in our hearts. For I've always expected the opportunity to make a mythological Chinese epic. I've made a 10-year work schedule to complete script writing, pre-production preparations and shooting," Wuershan told China Global Television Network (CGTN) in an exclusive interview.
The artistic works and motion picture settings of the film "Creation of the Gods" were unprecedented, which are so large, intricate and lasting that I've never seen before.
The blockbuster raked in a box office of nearly 400 million U.S. dollars with viewership totaling 61 million. These figures are clear illustrations of the movie's success.
With an ambition of spreading traditional Chinese culture abroad, Wuershan said he hopes more filmmakers will transform Chinese cultural treasures into captivating movies, which can transcend cultural differences and create resonance among audiences from various countries and cultural backgrounds.
"Previously, we thought we were lacked the capabilities and means to present it. Now we are capable enough to display it on screen in good quality. China needs more films like 'Creation of The Gods' that can fully present Chinese history, culture and imagination on the screen. I believe a good story belongs to all humanity," he said.
Film director chases ambitious dream to present Chinese culture through mythologies
Black Myth: Wukong, the first Chinese-developed "Triple-A" video game, has vigorously boosted cultural tourism in north China's Shanxi province, home to many of the stunning locations featured in the blockbuster game.
An instant success, the title topped the "most-played games" list on the Steam gaming platform just an hour after its debut. The smash hit Chinese game draws inspiration from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and features historic and cultural spots from across China, most of them in Shanxi.
Among them is the impressive Xiaoxitian Temple in the province's Xixian County, which was built 400 years ago. Its main hall is less than 200 square meters but houses nearly 2,000 exquisite hanging sculptures.
Some sculptures in the game were filmed for rendering in Yuhuang Temple in the province's Jincheng City. Dating back nearly 1,000 years, the temple is famous for its colorful figure statues representing deities from the 28 "Lunar Mansions", the Chinese equivalent of the zodiac in Western astronomy.
The Foguang Temple, sitting in the suburbs of Wutai County in Shanxi, it is a rare, large, complex, and very well-preserved ancient building from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) of China. Featuring a hipped roof and extremely complex bracket sets, it is a treasure in the eyes of Chinese architects and also appeals to visitors.
Some of the dharani pillars in Black Myth: Wukong were also filmed in Foguang Temple, and there are two Tang Dynasty dharani pillars on the temple's grounds.
"The two dharani pillars are some of the most important pieces of evidence to prove the temple was built in the Tang Dynasty. The lion sculptures on the pillars feature a chubby shape, just reflecting the Tang Style," said Hu Junying, head of the protection office of Foguang Temple.
The Foguang Temple boasts exceptional bracket set architecture as well as beautiful sculptures, murals and calligraphy, and the game's release also brought more visitors to the spot.
"I love ancient buildings and have read a lot of books about it. But when I came to see the real ones, they look much more magnificent. I felt moved and honored because while the Tang Dynasty was so far away, the building still stands to give us the chance to look at it," said tourist Hao Yurui.
Blockbuster game Black Myth: Wukong boosts cultural tourism in China's Shanxi
