Trek into courage

Yang Liusong has had firsthand experience of Mother Nature's wrath. In his 40s, Yang danced with death many times when he ventured through the treacherous terrain of the vast, uninhabited Changtang region in the early 2010s, and crossed the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the world's largest of its kind, during the rainy season, amid floods and landslides.

Both destinations sit in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region and, at times, seem to ridicule human presence.

Yang's experiences have since inspired films, while tales of his adventures in the form of books have sparked waves of inspiration among various generations, encouraging them to explore and experience the wilderness.

"People asked me, 'Why venture alone into the depths of the wilderness?' but I don't have a clear answer. Perhaps it's the same as those captivated by a certain mountain or enchanted by a particular river. I am obsessed by barely touched lands," Yang says.

He maintains that this is an era with few outdoor adventures, but it cannot be an era without exploration of nature and oneself.

This belief had him spending the past five years struggling to deliver his debut movie, Secret Land, which premiered nationwide on Friday.

Set against the backdrop of Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the movie he independently directed presents breathtaking mountains, tranquil forests and vast grasslands, offering audiences an authentic and awe-inspiring experience of the mysterious Yarlung Tsangpo region.

Over 80 percent of the movie's scenes take place in untouched, pristine forests. The cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls depicted on screen were captured on location, Yang notes.

He says he wants to present the thrills and spills of a mountain adventure while hammering home the majestic harmony between humanity and nature.

Yang hopes the film can inspire a sense of reverence for nature while offering insights to those feeling trapped in society.

"No matter how dire our circumstances, there's always a way out. The world remains full of endless possibilities," he says.

The film follows four strangers of different backgrounds who meet at a youth hostel and embark on a journey deep into the Yarlung Tsangpo forest in search of a beautiful butterfly. Along this butterfly-seeking journey, they face numerous challenges posed by nature, overcoming crises one by one. Through mutual understanding and collaboration, they forge a priceless friendship and, with unwavering determination, overcome all obstacles to complete their quest.

The actors and actresses had no prior outdoor experience and pulled off their own stunts without any understudies.

"The outdoors is not a competitive game; it's an extension of one's inner longing for the distant. The characters in the movie are just like people in our lives, the ones around us. Their adventures into uncharted territories should resonate deeply with everyone," Yang says.

The crew traveled across Minya Konka, also known as Gongga Mountain, with the highest peak at more than 7,500 meters above sea level in the Hengduan Mountains spanning the vast plateau of western Sichuan province, and shot scenes from southeastern Xizang.

They crossed glaciers, climbed cliffs and even endured leech bites for the sake of authenticity.

Dangerous moments were inevitable and unpredictable, often sending chills down Yang's spine.

"I was under tremendous pressure. After all, a movie isn't worth much if someone gets hurt in the process," Yang says, adding that the crew had to adapt throughout filming.

He recalls the final day when they had to shoot a cliff scene and the entire team was close to their physical limit.

"Everyone summoned their strength to climb the mountain. After much effort, the cameras and actors were finally in position only for a torrential downpour and thunderstorm to strike. Everyone scrambled madly to a nearby cave to take shelter," he says.