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"Wan Tongshu," a biopic that premiered at the 16th Beijing International Film Festival on April 19, celebrates a musicologist who spent a decade documenting and preserving a Uygur classical tradition.
The cast and crew of "Wan Tongshu" and guests pose for a photo at the film's premiere in Beijing, April 19, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Tianshan Film Studio]
Wan Tongshu (1923–2023), former honorary chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Musicians Association, led the recording and transcription of the "Twelve Muqam" from 1951 to 1960, preserving the oral heritage through pioneering notation methods before it could be lost entirely.
Jing Luzhou, chief producer and Party chief of Tianshan Film Studio, said the film chronicles the decade Wan and his wife Lian Xiaomei spent in Xinjiang working alongside folk artist Turdi Ahun to document and carry forward the Muqam tradition.
The film demonstrates the richness of Xinjiang's culture and the deep bonds of interaction, exchange and integration among all ethnic groups.
At the premiere, a classical excerpt performed by Twelve Muqam artists captivated the audience, showcasing the unique charm of Xinjiang Uygur Muqam art and setting the stage for the film.
The film, through the story of Wan, highlights the importance the Party and the state place on preserving traditional culture in ethnic minority regions and the achievements made in building a sense of community among China's ethnic groups.
The cast and crew went on stage to share their insights and creative process after the screening.
Wan's wife, Lian, 96, recorded a video message played at the premiere. She recalled the difficult years of their cultural preservation work and said, "We are all very ordinary people who did very ordinary things."
Many in the audience were moved to tears. When family members of Wan and Ahun took the stage, they responded with sustained applause.
"Wan Tongshu" opens first in Xinjiang on April 20, followed by a nationwide release on April 30.
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