The Xinjiang power behind "Horse Power"

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Liu Mengmeng) news: In winter, at the Karamaile Mountain Nature Reserve, strong winds sweep across the desert. In temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, the crew, dressed in heavy winter gear and carrying filming equipment, waited in the open wilderness. They finally captured the moment when a Przewalski's horse in the distance raised its head, its breath forming a cloud of mist in the freezing air.

Three years later, that very image appeared on giant screens in dozens of countries thanks to the Chinese documentary "Horse Power." Many viewers are unaware that behind this footage lies a Xinjiang connection.

At the 29th annual awards ceremony of the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) in 2026, "Horse Power" won the Best Film Launch by a Theater (tie) and Best Original Score. It became the first Chinese documentary to receive an award since the GSCA awards were established in 1997.

Deep in the Gobi, the wild horses return

"In China, everyone knows their zodiac animal, but few can explain the meaning behind each one. That is exactly what inspired me to make this documentary," said Shu Yun, the chief producer of "Horse Power." The project officially began in 2023. She chose the horse as the first subject because it is the animal most familiar to humans. Around the world, horses have been featured in historical texts, classic literature, and films. In traditional Chinese culture, the horse also stands for hard work, loyalty, and perseverance.

A film shooting site in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (File photo)

To capture the most authentic stories of human-horse relationships and natural landscapes, the production team, led by internationally renowned documentary director Mark Brownlow, embarked on a three-year filming journey that spanned six countries and seven cities.

The film follows the story of a young girl named Jula and her Mongolian horse, "Tulai," as they compete in an 18-kilometer endurance race at the Nadam Fair. It showcases eight major horse breeds from around the world and highlights the idea of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

The Karamaile Mountain Nature Reserve in Xinjiang is a key location in the film, and the conservation story of the Przewalski's horse is a major highlight. The Przewalski's horse is the only remaining wild horse species in the world. In the 1970s, China declared it extinct in the wild. In 1985, China launched a "Wild Horse Return" program to reintroduce Przewalski's horses from overseas and breed the species and release it back into the wild.

Li Kun, director of the Media Convergence Center at Xinjiang Juvenile Publishing House, still remembers the days spent filming horses deep in the Gobi. Each shoot felt like a careful conversation. Telephoto lenses and drones were their only means of getting close to the Przewalski's horses. "The most moving scene we captured was when the staff opened the fence. The herd paused for a moment, then galloped toward the vast open land. It was a wordless farewell and the deepest sign of respect for the freedom of life," he said.

From the giant screen to the page

On the desk of Lu Kaiwu, deputy editor-in-chief of Xinjiang Juvenile Publishing House, lies a copy of the book "Horse Power." He runs his finger over a two-page spread featuring Przewalski's horses. The image was selected from thousands of film stills and shows a group of wild horses galloping past, their manes flying and dust filling the air.

The companion book for the documentary. (File photo)

"Movies unfold in a continuous stream. Seated before the huge screen, viewers get swept away by moving footage. They have no chance to linger on details or pause to wonder," Lu Kaiwu remarked. "Books, though, let you freeze every visual. You can flip back to trace its evolutionary diagram, and take your time to figure out what sets this horse apart from others."

Xinjiang Juvenile Publishing House is one of the producers of "Horse Power." The plan to publish a companion book was made at the very start of the film project. However, the transition from the giant screen to the printed page proved to be much more difficult than expected.

The film uses a horizontal widescreen language. A shot of Przewalski's horses galloping across the Gobi appears vast and grand on the giant screen. But when compressed onto a 16-page book spread, the horses shrink to the size of ants, losing their immersive impact.

This required a fundamental rethinking of how to present the visuals. The editorial team did not simply transfer the film stills into the book. Instead, they selected and reorganized thousands of images to suit the book format. For example, while the film presents the running scene as a continuous wide shot, the book extracts several key moments. It includes both a wide view of the herd galloping and close-ups of individual horses, giving readers a multi-layered visual experience.

The book also accomplishes something the film cannot. It fills in the gaps by adding popular science content on the evolution and protection of the Przewalski's horse. It also includes a systematic introduction to the Ili horse and an overview of horse breeds native to Xinjiang.

The book includes a dedicated QR code that readers can scan to watch behind-the-scenes footage of the film. It also features zodiac-themed gift boxes, bookplates, and other items.

"We hope this book is not just a product tied to the film. It should stand on its own as a complete work that readers will want to return to again and again," Lu Kaiwu said.

From documentary to cultural IP

The distribution and IP development of "Horse Power" are still in progress. In late June, three generations of the "Indian Horse Whisperer" family from the United States, featured in the documentary, will travel to Inner Mongolia, China, to meet the protagonist Jula and her family in person. On July 11, World Horse Day, the film will be launched at the world's largest horse museum in Kentucky, USA, where a Przewalski's horse photo exhibition will also be held.

North American audiences watch the film in an immersive setting. (File photo)

The Chinese version of the film is narrated by actor Yu Shi, while the international version features actor Josh Brolin, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film has been produced in IMAX, dome, 4D, and other formats. It has been distributed to more than 30 countries and regions and is now shown in over 200 science museums.

Li Yuanyuan, deputy secretary-general of the China Television Arts Committee, commented that "Horse Power" moves beyond the traditional animal documentary format. It translates Chinese zodiac culture into a universal language, turning zodiac symbols into emotional bridges, and sets an example for Chinese documentary films looking to enter the global market.

Lu Kaiwu said that related projects, including a themed art album, an image symphony concert, and a popular science picture book, are all currently under development.

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