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China-Russia film 'Red Silk' to be released in China

By Zhang Rui
China.org.cn
| August 22, 2025
2025-08-22

A new China-Russia co-production, "Red Silk," recently announced a September release date for China, featuring a high-stakes spy story with tense action scenes.

A poster for "Red Silk." [Image courtesy of China Film Group]

"Red Silk," to open nationwide in China on Sept. 6, is directed by Russian director Andrey Volgin and stars Milos Bikovic, Gleb Kalyuzhny, Zheng Hanyi and Elena Podkaminskaya. It tells the story of messengers from China and the Soviet Union joining forces as they overcome dangers and obstacles to deliver confidential intelligence. 

In the movie's trailer, intense fight scenes and the high-stakes escort mission build anticipation, with the suspense focused on a top-secret file which Chinese and Soviet messengers must protect at all costs in a life-or-death escort operation.

Set in 1927 and based on historical events, the film depicts how the Communist Party of China messengers and Soviet intelligence agents work together to transport key documents across Siberia to Moscow. 

The Chinese and Soviet messengers are faced with a range of hostile forces, including remnants of Tsarist forces, Kuomintang secret agents and Japanese spies. With close-quarters combat in confined train carriages on the Trans-Siberian Express and intense gunfights across vast, perilous snowfields, the action sequences are designed for maximum visual impact. 

As an important project under the framework of the China-Russia Years of Culture in 2024 and 2025, the film showcases the friendship between the two countries, vividly reflecting the enduring strength of the relationship. From the heroic years fighting side by side in wartime to the vigorous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, the two nations' friendship has withstood the tests of history and time, continually renewing its vitality, the film's distributors said.

As the latest collaboration between the two countries’ film industries, "Red Silk" premiered in Moscow on Feb. 18, followed by a nationwide release on Feb. 20. It achieved 690 million rubles ($8.6 million) at the box office. 

"Red Silk" has been selected as the opening film for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film and Television Week, which begins on Aug. 22.


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