Many details in the film came directly from those conversations. Jiang recounts how the couple once used a hand-cranked generator to power a wire recorder because Xinjiang's electricity supply was unstable at the time. The machine relied on an extremely thin recording wire that frequently tangled, forcing the couple to untwist it by hand, sometimes cutting their fingers in the process.
To better re-create Wan's journey and the dissemination of Muqam across Xinjiang, the crew retraced the ethnomusicologist's footsteps, traveling more than 17,000 kilometers across 17 locations.
"When Wan first heard the Muqam, he was astonished," Jiang says. "He described it as a musical world he had never encountered before. He once said that piano keys only have black and white notes, but Muqam exists somewhere in between — making it difficult to record accurately at the time."
The film has since received a warm response in Xinjiang, with audiences from multiple ethnic groups, such as Han, Uygur and Kazakh viewers, expressing deep emotion after screenings.
"The friendship between Wan and Ahun transcended differences in age, ethnicity and lifestyle. That long-lasting bond — the way they cherished each other through their entire lives — is precisely the artistic value and emotional core of the film," shares Jiang.
Director Xirzat Yahup says many viewers have told him they were fascinated by the poetic singing style of Muqam, which explores various themes like love and life. "Some audience members said they wanted to hear more after the film ended. Fortunately, thanks to Wan's recordings and research, many Muqam troupes and institutions have been established across Xinjiang. Today, audiences can travel there and experience complete live performances," he adds.
Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, praises the production for naturally depicting the harmonious coexistence of different ethnic groups. "The movie serves not only as a cinematic tribute to Muqam, but also as a vivid reflection of Xinjiang's social and cultural history," comments Rao.
