Film to mark reform and opening-up set for release

Cast members receive an interview when the film premiers in Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

Running to the Spring, a film selected to mark the 40th anniversary of the launch of China's reform and opening-up, premiered in Beijing, will be shown in cinemas all over the country from Dec 14.

The film, which premiered in Beijing on Dec 10, is adapted from a true story in Ninghai county, Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. 

The story is about Fang Chuntian, the head of a village who was preparing for an international mountain marathon and was confronted with a series of problems related to family members, villagers and clans.

On Dec 10, Running to the Spring premiers in Beijing.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

According to Chen Yuren, the vice-president of Shanghai Media Group, "This film aims to reflect farmers' aspirations." 

Speaking about his role, actor Zhang Duo who plays the role of Fang Chuntian in this film, says: "My values have been influenced tremendously by this movie," adding that he was moved by Fang's efforts to improve the livelihoods of the whole village instead of only his own family. 

The main cast members lived in the countryside in Zhejiang province for several months in order to make the film.