Biopic about Red Flag Canal hero sets new benchmark for Chinese films

A low-budget biopic about Wu Zutai, the planner and designer of the Red Flag Canal — a monumental waterway carved into the Taihang Mountains — has sparked discussions among industry experts about the ability of small-to-medium-budget productions to tell compelling Chinese stories.

Based on true events, the film The Extraordinary You chronicles the life of Wu, a native of Henan province who gave up a comfortable urban career to dedicate himself to the construction of the canal in Linxian county — which was later upgraded to the county-level city of Linzhou in 1994. Determined to address the area's chronic water shortages, he overcame numerous difficulties and even postponed his wedding three times while leading efforts to complete the first blueprint for the Red Flag Canal.

Wu's devotion came at a heavy cost. On March 28, 1960, while inspecting hazardous conditions at the Wangjiazhuang Tunnel construction site, he was killed in a collapse aged just 27.

Wu's story is inseparable from that of the canal itself, a landmark engineering project that transformed the region. According to the Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage, the names of 81 people who lost their lives while constructing the canal have been engraved on a memorial. Built between 1960 and 1969, the project ultimately resolved the basic water needs of millions of residents in Linzhou, ending recurring droughts.

Beyond recounting a chapter of China's development history, the film seeks to bring audiences closer to the individuals behind the achievement.

Liu Chenglin, who portrays Wu, said he felt both honored and challenged while immersing himself in the character's life.

"This film is not only about the canal, but also sheds light on ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary feats," Liu said.

"Wu was not a born hero, but a flesh-and-blood human being with fears, emotions and personal attachments. At a critical moment, he chose to shoulder responsibility and make the sacrifice," he added.

The film has also drawn attention as an example of cost-effective filmmaking. Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, described it as "a new benchmark for small-to-medium-budget films", saying it reflects the sector's transition from pursuing scale to focusing on quality, craftsmanship and meaningful storytelling.