Story of Cotton Field

Main storyline and timeframe:

1960s pioneer days: Shanghai female doctor Hao Chunli (played by Du Shaojie) and Shandong girl Li Xiuming (He Lin) head to Aktdala, Xinjiang. There, they meet the first-generation aid cadre Li Huaihe (played by Li Xuejian). The team pioneers cotton cultivation on the Gobi, and Hao Chunli falls in love with Li Huaihe under a scarecrow’s witness. Tragically, she dies in a coal mine collapse on her wedding day while saving a Uyghur girl—a secret Li Huaihe vows to protect for life.

New-era mission legacy: Contemporary aid cadre Tian Li (played by Xiao Shenyang), having completed a three-year mission in Xinjiang and preparing to return to Fujian, faces a crisis when Aktdala becomes the target of international cotton sanctions. Elderly Li Huaihe passes on his life’s work to Tian Li, leading villagers out of technical deadlock. Uyghur girl Ayguli unintentionally uncovers the truth behind Hao Chunli’s sacrifice, connecting a 60-year thread of devotion.

Production timeline and honors:

September 8, 2023: Opening ceremony held in Changji Prefecture, Xinjiang; on-location shooting in the Gobi and cotton fields.

July 19, 2024: Beijing preview screening.
November 2024: Wins “Top Ten Golden Angel Movies of the Year” at the 20th China–US Film Festival; selected for the ethnic films showcase at the 37th China Golden Rooster Awards.

April 2025: Nominated in the “Beijing Exhibition” category at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival; on June 6, included in the National Film Administration’s official summer season recommended slate; June 19 premiere held in Beijing.

Official release: June 21, 2025, nationwide in mainland China.

Narrative structure & social significance:

The film employs a dual‑timeframe narrative: Ayguli’s discovery of past events contrasts with Tian Li’s present‑day industrial crisis, emphasizing the shared fate of “individual–family–nation.” Li Huaihe, portrayed by Li Xuejian, transitions from pioneering youth to devoted elder, embodying the sentiment of “dedicating youth and life.” Imagery like a scarecrow in the Gobi and cotton seed experiment logs symbolize the steadfast spirit of aid workers rooted in the region.

Sources: National Film Administration announcements, China–US Film Festival website, Golden Rooster Awards showcase list, publicly released information from co‑producing entities (all as of June 23, 2025)