Director Wang Quan'an

Director Wang Quan’an has adapted White Deer Plain, a historical novel about two peasant families, into a 160-minute movie, to be released on Sept 13.

The novel by Chen Zhongshi traces five decades of two families in West China’s Shaanxi Province. Winner of the Maodun Literature Award, the top honor of China’s literature circle, the novel has long been a tempting challenge for filmmakers, but Wang’s work is its first big screen adaptation.

Wang summons a stellar cast including veteran Zhang Fengyi and Duan Yihong. His wife Zhang Yuqi is the leading actress.

Wang has been a frequent winner at international film festivals with works such as Tuya’s Marriage and Apart Together.