Director Jia Zhangke (center) shares his thoughts on the film with the audience in Taiyuan, on Sept 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Three special screenings of the film Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue – directed by Shanxi-born filmmaker Jia Zhangke – took place on Sept 21 in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, during the Mid-Autumn Festival hoilday.

The director, as well as Duan Huifang – daughter of one of the film's central characters – and the film's artistic advisor Lian Yirui shared their thoughts about the film and talked with the audience. 

This film focuses on four of China's prominent writers in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and presents a "history of changes in the Chinese mind" since 1949 through reviewing and narrating their respective experiences of growing up. 

Director Jia Zhangke (third from right) sits with others involved with the film and the audience in Taiyuan, on Sept 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Jia, who also chronicles his local literature festival in Shanxi in the film, said that the film is an expression of the "tenacity" of Chinese people in facing and resolving problems.

"The term 'swimming out' means to keep moving forwards and 'the sea turns blue' describes a beautiful world, which is also a national ideal, so I entitled the whole film with it," he explained. 

Jia said that the film's successful production was inseparable from the strong support given by Shanxi folks.

It was produced by a local company in Shanxi, created by Shanxi filmmakers and shot from the start of the first Literature Festival held in Jiajiazhuang village, Fenyang, which is Jia's hometown. 

In 2020, the film premiered nationwide during the 4th Pingyao International Film Festival.