Niu Song, director of China Ethnic Groups Film and TV Research Center, says the country has produced around 200 feature-length films about ethnic minority groups since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, but there are few movies about ethnic Tajiks, such as the 1963 classic Visitors on the Icy Mountain.

"The movie is a panoramic retelling of the distinctive culture and lifestyle of the 'mysterious' ethnic Tajiks, also reflecting its tradition of guarding the country's border over generations," comments Niu.

With Tashkurgan county located along China's borders with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, some of the locals have volunteered to serve as guides for the People's Liberation Army during border-patrol missions, forming a tradition in some families, according to national media.

Li Daoxin, deputy dean of the School of Arts at Peking University, says the new movie has adopted a realistic tone to showcase local life, avoiding shooting stereotypical scenes that intentionally try to create an effect for the audience.