China Daily Global Edition (USA)
New TV series focuses on China’s nuclear and space programs
A TV series loosely based on the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” project, China’s nuclear and space program, recently began airing on Beijing Satellite TV and the video streaming site Tencent Video.
The 43-episode series, The Glory and the Dream, directed by Han Xiaojun, is about a group of friends, who go from fresh college graduates to established engineers at a rocket research center in Southwest China.
The story, spanning three decades, starts with China’s successful detonation of its first atomic bomb in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Oct 16, 1964, goes on to depict the turbulence of the 1970s and the huge changes brought about by the reform and opening-up policies.
Tie Fo, the producer, who has been in the television industry for more than 30 years, says he first read the script in 2007.
“It was penned by Huang Jian, who previously worked in a Guizhou rocket research center,” he recalls in a telephone interview with China Daily.
Tie had once worked in Sichuan province’s Mianyang Science and Technology City, a national defense facility, and he identified with the story.
Recalling his days there, Tie says he sometimes met with Deng Jiaxian, who was often hailed as the “Father of China’s Nuclear Program”.
“But Deng’s identity was top secret then, so I didn’t know how important he was. He was very low-profile and easy-going,” recalls Tie.
Speaking about the plot of the series, Tie says that as the original story had a tragic ending and unfolded a bit slowly, he sent the story to other writers to be revised.
He finally approved the version rewritten by Wang Zhili, known for The Love of Courtyard, which looks back on Beijing’s hutong lifestyle.
Meanwhile, the producers of The Glory and the Dream also acquired footage of missile launches from the 1960s and the 1970s, from a number of sources, including the China Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio, to lend a touch of authenticity to the series.
Veteran actor Yang Shuo and actresses Su Qing and Lian Shumei play the lead roles in the series. The drama was shot in Sichuan province at several locations which were once factories manufacturing components and parts for rockets and missiles.
“We also created a lot of props — including several lifesize replicas of missiles — which were transported by 12 trucks to a warehouse covering an area of more than 1,000 square meters,” says Tie.
Separately, he says that most of the major characters are based on real-life people.
For instance, the character of Minister Qiao is based on Qian Xuesen, a prominent aerodynamics and cybernetics expert who is regarded as the “Father of China’s Space Program”.
When asked if there were concerns that this theme may not be popular with youngsters, who often prefer fantasy or historical dramas, Tie says he believes any work that reminds people of one of the most import chapters in Chinese history will never be “outdated”.