The premiere of the Zhejiang-produced film Qiantang River in Xiaoshan district, Hangzhou. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The Zhejiang-produced film Qiantang River, the first of its kind to focus on land reclamation and to depict the mighty Qiantang River's tides, premiered on March 2 in Xiaoshan district of Hangzhou.

Directed by Wan Bo and produced by Xu Xiaoming, the film is based on the historical land reclamation efforts that took place in Xiaoshan.

It tells the story of local residents battling relentless tides with sheer determination, transforming barren sandbanks into fertile land despite extreme hardships.

From the 1950s, Xiaoshan residents carried out over 30 large-scale reclamation projects, creating 546,100 mu (36,400 hectares) of new land – hailed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization as a miracle in human land-making history.

The film Qiantang River brings this forgotten chapter to life, aiming to spark renewed interest in its historical significance.

The film, shot in the local Xiaoshan dialect, is said to blend poetic imagery with raw realism. The producers said the authenticity was paramount – the production team even built a huge embankment, which was 30 meters long and 4 meters high, using over 100 metric tons of stone.

Recognized at the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Kolkata International Film Festival, the film has been praised for its visual artistry and its tribute to human perseverance. It will be released nationwide on March 11.

Members of the audiences are enthralled by the film. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]