Upcoming film recalls the value of filial piety

Caravan of Gratitude, an upcoming film based on the true story of two brothers who spent 517 days pulling their elderly mother across China in a homemade cart, will open in cinemas nationwide on Nov 6.

Written and directed by Ma Daishan, the film premiered in Beijing on Oct 30.

The story follows the brothers as they set out to fulfill their father's dying wish: to take their mother to Beijing to see Tian'anmen Square. Since the mother suffers from motion sickness when traveling by car, train or plane, the brothers build a 355-kilogram handcart and pull her to the capital on foot.

Seeing Tian'anmen brings their mother great joy, and her health begins to improve. Encouraged by the change, the brothers decide to continue the journey. They ultimately cover about 18,500 kilometers, pass through more than 600 cities, and wear out 37 pairs of shoes.

Along the way, the family faces various challenges and encounters acts of kindness. In one scene, the brothers come across a girl whom a robber threatens. The younger brother, a former armed police officer, steps in to protect her.

The filmmakers said the story seeks to bring the traditional value of filial piety into contemporary life, emphasizing not only caring for parents but also respecting them and making them happy.

"Filial piety is the root of goodness. Starting from there, begin with the little things bit by bit, and pave the long road of life," said the director, Ma, with deep emotion during the premiere.

Several organizations produced the film, including the publicity departments of the Heilongjiang provincial and Daqing municipal committees of the Communist Party of China. It was selected for a national program of 100 outstanding film scripts and received a special committee award at the 17th Macao International Film Festival in December 2025.