A compelling documentary called The Third Coal Mine was premiered in Yangquan city in Shanxi province on Nov 24. 

The two-episode documentary, produced by Yangquan Radio and Television Station and Guo Dongsheng Documentary Studio, portrays the countdown to the looming shut-down of the 111-year-old third coal mine operated by Yangquan Coal Industry Group, based in Yangquan city. 

Focusing on three mining captains in the coal mine, the documentary tells the story of how the once-productive coal mine was transformed and how handled its over 6,000 anxious miners faced with the coming closure in late November 2019.

Throughout two years of filming, the film production team went down to the mine more than 40 times, to  record the lives of the miners and present the development of China's coal mines.

Critics said the documentary vividly records the fate of individuals and the group -- against the background of the enterprise's transformation in the face of the depletion of its coal resources. 

It showcases the spirits of the coal miners, battling against the vicissitudes of life and the rise and fall of the coal industry.

Director Guo Dongsheng said what he wants to express through the work is the hope hidden within and the beauty of human nature. 

"I can always draw strength from the documentary's heroes," he said.

"That kind of optimism and kindness keeps touching me. I think the characteristics of all coal miners are the same... I want to show the responsibility and accountability of them."

The documentary will be broadcast on the China Central Television documentary channel on Nov 28 and 29.