Produced by Daylight Entertainment, directed by Kong Sheng, written by Lan Xiaolong, and with Hou Hongliang as the executive producer, the war film "Be Careful When You're Free" officially announced its release date of December 6th in theaters nationwide, and released a trailer and poster titled "Fighting for Your Family".
Poster for the TV series "Quiet and Cautious"
The craftsman Mo Dexian, hammer in hand, stands guard at the archway of Gezhi Town, confronting the invading Japanese soldiers. A battle to defend their homeland is about to begin. This film, featuring talented actors such as Xiao Zhan, Peng Yuchang, and Zhou Yiran, is set against the backdrop of the Battle of Western Hubei from 1940 to 1943, and tells the story of a group of ordinary people who stand up when their homes are invaded.
After the film's release date was set, the number of people who "want to see" it on the Maoyan platform surged in a short period of time, and it immediately topped the real-time popularity chart, with pre-sale box office exceeding 5 million yuan.
The "iron triangle" of Noon Sunshine reunites after 15 years
The film tells the story of Mo Dexian (Xiao Zhan), a fitter at a machine factory, who, along with his family, flees into the mountains with a group of refugees. They settle in "Gezhi Town" with Xiao Yan (Peng Yuchang), an anti-aircraft gunner forgotten by the main force, and his scattered soldiers. However, Mo Dexian's life with his wife Xia Cheng (Zhou Yiran), his grandfather (Yang Xinming), and his son Mo Dengxian is abruptly disrupted by the unexpected arrival of a small squad of Japanese scouts. The townspeople, unwilling to retreat, fight to the death to protect their homes, and a fierce battle of wits against regular armed forces unfolds.
Pre-orders have begun.
As the first film produced by Daylight Entertainment, a leading producer in the TV drama industry, "Leisurely Life" also marks the first collaboration between the "iron triangle" of Kong Sheng, Lan Xiaolong, and Hou Hongliang since "Life and Death Line" 15 years ago.
Director Kong Sheng and screenwriter Lan Xiaolong previously collaborated on classic works such as "Soldiers Sortie" and "My Chief and My Regiment," making their reunion highly anticipated. In an earlier interview, Kong Sheng frankly admitted, "I originally wanted to take a break and make a simple film, but I ended up choosing the most complex and difficult film ever! It's a different kind of film, unlike other films; it's a completely unexpected story."
The film's script, polished over several years by Lan Xiaolong, is adapted from his original story, *The Battle of Yichang*. It employs a three-act narrative structure—"The Fall of Nanjing → The Fall of Yichang → The Victory at Shipai"—to showcase the awakening and resistance of ordinary people. Unlike his previous war films that focused on large-scale historical battles, this film takes a unique micro-perspective, making a small town hidden deep in the mountains the main battleground. Unlike the tragic approach of traditional war films, the film incorporates numerous dark comedic elements, resulting in an absurd and humorous feel.
Beyond the intense battles on the front lines, how will ordinary people fleeing the war resist the Japanese soldiers who are creating panic? This has sparked anticipation among moviegoers.
A perspective on grand history from the viewpoint of ordinary people
The film stars Xiao Zhan, Peng Yuchang, and Zhou Yiran, with Yang Xinming, Aruuna, Gan Yunchen, Zhou Siyu, and Yan Zhidu in supporting roles, and Yin Zheng making a special appearance. The cast combines both popular stars and established actors, making it a refreshing addition to the cast.
Xiao Zhan plays the role of fitter Mo Dexian.
In the film, Xiao Zhan plays Mo Dexian, a fitter in a machinery factory, who grows from a fugitive who only wants to save his own life into a leader who leads everyone in resistance. To play this role well, he not only studied historical materials about the War of Resistance against Japan in depth, but also completely shed his idol image in terms of appearance, appearing as a low-level craftsman in a coarse cloth shirt, covered in mud.
Peng Yuchang plays Xiao Yan, an anti-aircraft gunner forgotten by the main force, while Zhou Yiran plays Xia Cheng, Mo Dexian's wife. In the official "Fighting for Home" trailer, Xiao Yan turns around in terror upon hearing gunfire, while Xia Cheng tightly protects her child amidst the gunfire. The fear of life-or-death ordeal intertwines with the unwavering belief in protecting their home, making viewers even more eager to see what happens next in the film.
A screenshot from the trailer shows Xiao Zhan and Zhou Yiran playing a couple caught in the chaos of war.
The title "De Xian Jin Zhi" comes from the inscription on the weapon that Mo De Xian made himself, which not only reflects the ancient tradition of "marking the craftsman's name on the object", but also symbolizes the spirit of craftsmanship and responsibility.
The film was in development for nine years. To achieve realism, the production team built a replica of the historically significant town of Gezhi in Yichang, Hubei Province. Filming officially began in July 2024 and wrapped on October 17, lasting 90 days. In the official poster released today, Xiao Zhan, who plays Mo Dexian, stands guard at the town's entrance archway, wielding a hammer and displaying an aura of unwavering resolve.
The cast includes the "iron triangle" of Daylight Entertainment plus Xiao Zhan.
As soon as the release date was announced, the number of people who wanted to see the film on both Maoyan and Taopiaopiao platforms immediately soared to the top of the real-time popularity charts, demonstrating the market's high expectations for the film. In terms of subject matter, stories of ordinary people fighting against the Japanese invasion are likely to evoke emotional resonance, a point already fully proven by the release of this summer's box office champion, *Nanjing Photo Studio*. The Daylight Entertainment team has a proven track record with high-quality works such as *Nirvana in Fire* and *Parents Love*. As for the actors, Xiao Zhan and other leading actors possess strong box office appeal.
December is not traditionally a peak season for the film market. Other films released during the same period include the Hong Kong crime film *The Insider*, directed by Alan Mak and starring Aaron Kwok and Simon Yam; the classic, highly-rated film *Witness for the Prosecution*; and *For Example, After This Our Exile*, directed by Qiu Sheng and nominated for this year's Shanghai International Film Festival. *All About Love*, scheduled for release on December 6th, is expected to be a dark horse among this year's war films, igniting the market.
