Recently, CGTN's multilingual platform launched a series of documentaries titled "Cherished Land" globally, turning its lens on the Liuxing Street community in Yining, Xinjiang. The film captures the real-life scenes of residents from 13 different ethnicities, including Han, Uyghur, Hui, Uzbek, and Kazakh, who coexist in this land amidst varying religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. The documentary showcases the ethnic integration and diverse coexistence nurtured in this region, reflecting the love and appreciation these individuals hold for their shared homeland in the simplicity of everyday life. After its release, the film received wide acclaim both domestically and internationally.
The documentary "Cherished Land" employs cinematic techniques to observe life, focusing on universal human emotions and illustrating the resilience and dignity of life.
Poster for "Cherished Land"
The production team spent a year immersed in the Liuxing Street community in Yining, Xinjiang, capturing a wealth of authentic and rich life scenes. By exploring relationships such as spouses, parent-child, teacher-student, and friends, the documentary expands its focus from the community to express universal themes at the foundational level of social relations in Xinjiang and even all of China.
A Kazakh youth named Tang Naer moved from the grasslands to the city in search of a livelihood, carrying with him the ambitions and dreams of youth, facing constant choices between reality and ideal;
A Han girl named Zhao Yue, determined to achieve perfection in everything, experiences the struggles of self-fulfillment while starting a business with her close friend Zhao Xiaohui, and gradually learns to reconcile with herself;
Uyghur driver Nurxati Ibrahim and his family have emerged from the shadow of a loved one's passing, embracing a humble yet warm life marked by simple joys as the sun rises and sets each day;
Ma Bin, a Hui imam at the Liuxing Street Mosque, shows affection for his wife and indulgence toward his children, playing a part in the community's weddings and funerals, while grappling with his own unresolved regrets.
The film realistically portrays the changing seasons and the ebb and flow of life on Liuxing Street, presenting a harmonious tapestry of diverse coexistence and ethnic integration to the world.
Poster for "Cherished Land"
After its broadcast, the film garnered widespread praise globally. International viewer bertanelson8062 commented, “I love these documentaries! I enjoy seeing the streets and buildings of cities, towns, and villages. The transformation from grassland living to urban life, along with the transmission of culture and the permanence of values, is captivating.” Another viewer, BelkhirElouad, expressed, “The documentary poetically captures the essence of home, taking us deep into memories that embody warmth and tranquility. It is these simple moments that help us rediscover the value of time and its quiet details. Where nature and love converge, a place becomes an eternal sanctuary.”
Zhao Jie, Director of the Strategic Research Institute (Legal Affairs Office) at the National Radio and Television Administration’s Research Center for the Development of Broadcasting and Film, and a member of the Academic Committee of the China Radio and Television Social Organization Federation, stated, “Among the many documentaries about Xinjiang, this one uniquely showcases the rich ethnic customs and vibrant life atmosphere of the multi-ethnic population in Xinjiang, illustrating the colorful connotations of the harmonious coexistence of China's diverse ethnicities.”
Still from "Cherished Land"
Still from "Cherished Land"
In the film, a band performing in Liuxing Street sings in Mandarin, English, Uyghur, and other languages for passersby; Han and Hui girls collaboratively organize events for women's growth sharing, where young people from different ethnicities gather to share their growth experiences; an accordion band for ethnic unity performs during the Sibe ethnic migration festival and also meets at a teahouse during the Korban Festival.
Tang Wenjing, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Minzu University of China, noted, “Their stories intertwine to form a vivid picture of harmonious coexistence amongst multiple ethnicities. The intricate details of these individuals' lives reveal their yearning and pursuit of a happy life, while also conveying a deep sense of humanistic care, effectively dispelling misconceptions about the multi-ethnic coexistence in Xinjiang.”
Online user hadiNhce commented, “No matter what your religious beliefs are, you can live in China and immerse yourself in Chinese culture. This is the strength of a prosperous society, a blend of modernity and humanity.”
Still from "Cherished Land"
Still from "Cherished Land"
Still from "Cherished Land"
