The film Cliff Walkers has been the subject of heated discussions and grabbed the attention of audiences ever since it was completed. Netizens have rated it as the top priority to watch during the May Day holidays. The film held its first screening on April 18 with an opening score of 9.2 on Maoyan and 9.1 on Taopiaopiao. Currently, the daily box office screenings have grossed over 7 million RMB. Its excellent opening scores and box office earnings clearly indicate that the high quality of the film may fulfill the audiences' expectations. On the same day of the premiere, the second round of screenings was launched in 34 cities nationwide. The movie received a lot of positive comments, including "The plot is tight and thrilling; all actors have showcased brilliant performing skills", "In the front row sat the white-haired old man, probably growing in the same ice and snow as the unsung heroes of the year", "The audience was gripped into silence after the film was over; and we returned to reality a few minutes later". The film will start the third round of screenings today. It is slated for a prominent release on April 30.

The CP of Zhang Yi and Yu Hewei reveal ‘behind the scenes’ stories; Director Zhang Yimou talks about the ‘power of faith’

The premiere day, April 24, was also the day for the launch of the second round of screenings of the film Cliff Walkers. After watching the film with the cast, director Zhang Yimou shared his thoughts about the film and the experience of shooting, with stories from behind the scenes. The enduring applause of the live audience left the leading makers of the film moved, and they remarked: "China has always remained well protected thanks to such heroic people. We live after the daybreak and in the dawn created by our ancestors. It is these brave people that have given us the opportunity of living in this peaceful and happy era." Some audiences praised the on-screen chemistry between the characters Zhang Xianchen and Zhou Yi, and some netizens even regarded them as a CP. Remarking on the relationship between Zhang Xianchen and Zhou Yi in the film, Zhang Yi said that they were revolutionary friends that "fought shoulder to shoulder and shared joys and sorrows". Yu Hewei said that the two had a tacit understanding. "They understand each other with just a mere glance". Qin Hailu, Zhu Yawen, and Liu Haocun, the other three members of the Utrennya team, also shared the lines from the film that touched them the most. Qin Hailu said that she was deeply moved by the first line in the script "The one who is alive should go to find the child". She opined that Cliff Walkers was different from earlier spy films; the spies in this film were not omnipotent; instead, they were ordinary people that had deep and true love for their beloved ones, comrades-in-arms, and family. For Zhu Yawen, the most expressive line was his final line: "Leave now". It also represented the film's slogan: “Leave the final bullet for me”. Liu Haocun recollected the line "Everything will be fine after the daybreak", which meant a lot to her—that the comrades’ sacrifice will end with completing the Utrennya mission; it also reiterates the era we live in is after the daybreak; our current happy life has been made possible by these brave unsung heroes. Despite donning the role of negative characters, actors Ni Dahong, Li Naiwen, Fei Fan, Sha Yi, and Ji Huanbo also showed their profound respect for our revolutionary ancestors. Ni Dahong said: "All actors performed their best in every scene. I think our portrayal was our attempt to pay a fitting tribute to those unsung heroes". Quan Yongxian, the movie’s scriptwriter, has written several earlier works on the spy genre. Cliff Walkers is the first film he was part of. In his opinion, the film has a unique story. He said: "This story underplays action; instead, it focuses on the depiction of people while portraying the struggles of humanity and the power of faith in battling despair".

Fu Ruoqing, senior producer of the film, said that he felt elated and satisfied that he could present such an excellent work to national audiences, especially at this important juncture of the 100^th anniversary of the Party: "I express my gratitude and respect to the unsung heroes that strove silently for us before the dawn. I salute them".

This project received high praise from Dr. Albert Yeung, Chairman of Emperor Group. He pointed out that the theme of saluting unsung heroes held a special significance in the current times. Alex Yeung, Group Executive Director, Vice Chairman of Emperor Motion Pictures and Co-executive Producer of Cliff Walkers, remarked that while the current generation of young people had "inherent patriotism and self-confidence; this film enabled them to feel the importance of faith and trust that people had during the war-ridden days.

The director hoped that more people will understand the power of faith of these nameless heroes. When asked about the theme song sung by Zhou Shen, he said that Zhou Shen's voice is young but very deep. He stated that the lyrics of the theme song and emotions of the singer perfectly matched the film’s theme of selflessness, fearlessness, and silent sacrifice. He concluded by saying: "We could live in a peaceful world today is because our martyrs fought for it at all cost."

"The Road Home" lead pair of Sun Honglei and Zhang Ziyi had an unexpected reunion; Gao Qunshu of "Spy Comrade-in-Arms" praised the film as another legend after "The Message"

Several celebrity guests including Zhang Ziyi, Bai Yansong, Sun Honglei, Gao Qunshu, Hu Ke, An Ji, Bai Jingting, Cao Baoping, Ning Hao, Wang Baoqiang, and Dujiang joined the premier to watch the film and were deeply moved by the portrayal. Bai Yansong first shared his feelings about the film. He amazed the audiences with his opening remarks in Russian. He added that the work of the director was as unique and innovative as a "new-generation director" and joked that "This year, the director is 25yearsold". Bai Jingting was deeply touched by the profound friendship among the unsung heroes who obscured in the battlefront, and their valiant sacrifices. He said that "the overall film-watching experience was very exciting" and revealed that Ni Dahong, who acted as the “cruel Director Gao”, was a totally different person in real life as he knew him from their collaboration in several popular spy-based TV and film works. Sun Honglei and Gao Qunshu of the "Spy Comrade-in-arms" fame, and representative of archetypal spy movies, also attended the premiere. Gao Qunshu, the director of The Message, praised the Cliff Walkers as "very excellent and wonderful". His compliment that "Here is another legend after The Message" won a steady applause from the audience. Sun Honglei and Zhang Ziyi, who performed in Zhang Yimou's film The Road Home, had a surprising reunion at the premiere. Sun Honglei said that The Road Home was his first film in life and expressed his gratitude to the director who was his first teacher when he was a novice in the movie industry. Zhang Ziyi was deeply moved by the performance of the leading creators of the film. It was a warm and pleasant homecoming of sorts for her as she also met Sun Honglei unexpectedly. She also chanced upon a personal connection in the post-credits’ scene that the license plate 1227 in the film was the birthday of the director's daughter. 

"Kept us glued to our seats"—effusive praise at the premier, the film leads the May Day schedule

During the premiere, audiences showered praise—"It seems like each performer was born for the role", "It is the most thrilling spy-war depiction" and "It is supported by the best cast". Director Zhang Yimou has assembled a super lineup cast for Cliff Walkers. The leading stars include Zhang Yi, Yu Hewei, Qin Hailu, Zhu Yawen, Liu Haocun, Ni Dahong, and Li Naiwen. The other protagonists include Yu Ailei and Fei Fan. Guest stars included Lei Jiayin and Sha Yi. Some netizens said that the mere lineup was worth the ticket price! With the commencement of presales on April 15, the Cliff Walkers formally started the first round of screenings on April 18. The single day box office screenings grossed over 7 million and the next round of screenings begins today. "It is such a gripping and thrilling plot, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie". The spy battle in the ice city is so amazing that audiences will not be distracted even for a moment. The film's realistic depiction of unsung heroes brought alive the unacknowledged spy groups; it also enabled audiences to see the struggles and splendor of humanity. The concluding remark "Paying respect to our fearless revolutionary pioneers" touched the audience a lot. Some netizens expressed: "I am deeply moved by the lines 'I want you to live until the daybreak', and 'We live happily after the dawn because these courageous people were enlightened by faith and moved ahead boldly'."

The film Cliff Walkers will be released on April 30. It will be screened in more cities today. Presales has commenced now. Do look forward to it.

The film Cliff Walkers was produced by China Film Co., Ltd., Emperor Motion Pictures, Shanghai Film Group, and Huaxia Film Distribution Co., Ltd., and jointly distributed by Emperor (Beijing) Screen Culture Media Co., Ltd., Alibaba Pictures (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Anaya Screen Culture Co., Ltd, Zhujiang Film & Media Corporation Limited, TikTok Culture (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., People.cn. Co., Ltd., and China News Co., Ltd. It was released by China Film Co., Ltd., Emperor (Beijing) Screen Culture Media Co., Ltd., and Lianrui (Shanghai) Pictures Co., Ltd., and jointly released by Shanghai Film Group, Shanghai Taopiaopiao Screen Culture Co., Ltd., and Tianjin Maoyan Micro Film Cultural Media Co., Ltd.