On the morning of September 20, the project signing ceremony of the 13th Silk Road International Film Festival took place in Xi'an. Wandering Accordions, a China-Kyrgyzstan co-production epic feature, was officially inked. It is co-produced by Shinework Pictures from China and Alcha Group LLC of Kyrgyzstan.
Centered on the accordion as the emotional motif running through the entire narrative, the film weaves together a decades-spanning story of fate across Eurasia. Told through the life reminiscence of an elderly Belarusian woman, it recreates turbulent wartime years and depicts tender moments where people of diverse ethnicities stand by and support one another, highlighting the brilliance of humanity amid dramatic twists of destiny.
The film showcases Xinjiang, a land home to multiple ethnic groups, and its cultural landscape of unity amid diversity and inclusive coexistence, intertwining personal joys and sorrows, ethnic bonds and the tides of the times.
As a sequel in the China-Central Asia epic film IP series, Wandering Accordions builds on the mature cross-border co-production framework for China-Central Asia collaborations. It adheres to a balanced, two-way civilisational narrative, rejecting one-sided cultural outreach. With music serving as a bridge for cross-cultural empathy, it conveys universal values of cherishing peace and mutual support.
Shooting locations for Wandering Accordions include Xinjiang of China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The film will be released in multiple languages across global regions, striving to set a new benchmark for film cooperation between China and Central Asia and offer a fresh model for cultural exchanges on the Silk Road.
Jonathan Shen, Chairman of Shinework Pictures, stated, "Over years of collaboration with Central Asia have allowed us to deeply experience the profound cultural heritage of this land. Wandering Accordions represents our heartfelt look back as we journey along the Silk Road. The essence of cross-border co-production lies in cultural understanding and respect. This film is not a story told by one side about the other. Instead, Chinese and Kyrgyz creators jointly explore and reflect upon a shared Eurasian memory. The accordion is a cultural icon shared across Central Asia, Xinjiang of China and many regions in Europe; music knows no borders. We hope audiences may perceive, through its melodies, ordinary people's yearning for peaceful lives after the ravages of war. During the project preparation phase, Chinese and Kyrgyz creators repeatedly refined the script, fully respecting the history and culture of both nations to deliver a sincere work."
Meder Suyundukov, Founder and CEO of Alcha Group LLC, expressed great anticipation for the collaboration, "Kyrgyzstan and China are linked by mountains and rivers, bound closely together by Silk Road civilisation. The melody of the accordion has been passed down among our peoples for generations. It is a great honour to join outstanding Chinese creators to make Wandering Accordions. We believe this film, carrying the shared memories of people in China and Central Asia, can transcend language barriers, show the world the profound cultural ties between China and Kyrgyzstan, and write a new chapter for long-term cultural exchanges between our two nations."