Real wolves star in wild epic 'Wolf Totem'
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, February 6, 2015
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French director Jean-Jacques Annaud and the cast and crew of "Wolf Totem," including actors Feng Shaofeng, Shawn Dou promote at the premiere in Beijing on Feb.4, 2015. [China.org.cn] |
"When you see the movie you will understand that it is not easy to do such a movie, where 98 percent of what you see is real wolves, which are very very dangerous and untamable," he added. He praised the trainers and said they have devoted a large amount of effort to train wolves but at the same time, keep their wild nature. They built long double fences to keep the 35 wolves from three generations under control.
The leading actor Feng Shaofeng even cultivated a deep emotional connection with a young wolf and its fellows. The wolves were set free after production ended, and were sent to Canada to live in the wild.
"Wolf Totem" was prepared and went into production over a period of 10 years. The actual filming began in July 2012 with production budget of US$38 million. Chinese and Mongolian actors Feng Shaofeng, Shawn Dou, Ankhnyam Rachaa, Batdorj-in Baasanjab and Yin Zhusheng star in the film, which portrays the story of people and a wolf pack in Inner Mongolia.
Set in 1967 during the Cultural Revolution, "Wolf Totem" tells the story of a student sent from the city to the Inner Mongolian steppe for re-education. He lives with the nomads, and develops a respect for freedom and nature, and becomes fascinated with the wolves. Although the film harmlessly touches on the wrong policies of the Cultural Revolution, ecological ruins and issues of environment protection, Chinese censors gave the project the green light without changing anything in Annaud's script.
Annaud filmed "Wolf Totem" in 3D through various seasons (including two winters) for 160 days in Inner Mongolia.
To add to an already impressive film, legendary James Horner ("Braveheart," "Titanic") composed original music for "Wolf Totem" and rock singer Wang Feng sang the theme song "Song Of Redemption."
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