Dong Yachun, Chinese director. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In an attempt to showcase the daily life back then, a 300-member crew stayed in freezing Hengdaohezi town in Heilongjiang province, for two months.

At-30 C, two streets, one railway tunnel and a baker's shop were built at the historical sites, introduced by Chang Mingguang, the movie's fine art designer.

"It likes destiny. A place that witnessed efforts by the two countries becomes the shooting location for a Sino-Russian production," says Dong.

The site is where China and Russia jointly built a railway line more than a century ago.

Cao Shuci, the lead actress and also a professional ballet dancer, tells China Daily that it is her big-screen debut.

"Young Chinese at my age may have limited knowledge about the war, and it's hard to image the miserable life Chinese experienced back then," she says, adding the moviemaking process gave her a better understanding.

"I pay more respect to history and the sacrifices of the Chinese people."

The 1989-born actress read wartime classics such as Australian writer Markus Zusak's The Book Thief to prepare for the role, Cao says.