Documentary reflecting true lives in Xinjiang to be broadcast

A new Xinjiang- themed documentary that reveals the true lives of people in the region will be broadcast soon, the Global Times has learned.

The documentary, named Beyond the Mountains, reflects the current living conditions of people of all ethnic groups in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The film follows four documentaries produced by CGTN on the Xinjiang region’s anti- terrorism fight – Fighting Terrorism in Xinjiang, The Black Hand, Tianshan Still Standing, and The War in the Shadow.

The Global Times learned that the new documentary was produced by the same team as the four earlier ones, all directed by Han Bin.

Shooting began in August 2020 in various regions of Xinjiang for Beyond the Mountains, which was made at the same time as The War in the Shadow.

The new documentary is not a “response” to current Western attacks on Xinjiang, but “a gift brought to the Xinjiang people,” Han told the Global Times.

“I really want to say that today’s Xinjiang is as dynamic and fast developing as the rest of China and would like to present the real Xinjiang, especially after making four anti- terrorism documentaries. Breaking down prejudice and misunderstanding was the original purpose of making Beyond the Mountains,” Han said.

The documentary of 80 minutes features the magnificent natural scenery of Xinjiang under the highdefinition camera and tells 18 vivid stories.

The stories show how people of all ethnic groups in the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains love their homeland, carry on their traditions and pursue their dreams and how Xinjiang developed and stayed in harmony with other Chinese ethnic groups.

The film not only reflects the different cultural facets and natural beauty of the north and south parts of the Tianshan Mountains, it also told the audience about a real Xinjiang that is different from the vision of the US and other Western public opinion.

“Xinjiang is no longer an isolated island after decades of development and is now striding forward with vigor, which has all been witnessed by the Tianshan Mountains. But in some people’s minds, there is also a mountain to cross,” according to the film.