"Sanxingdui: Future Past" Trailer

Three thousand years ago, the ancestors of Sanxingdui cast bronze vessels and offered sacrifices by fire to seek answers from the unknown; three millennia later, contemporary generations continue this quest using code as their torch and algorithms as their measure. On Oct. 23, "Sanxingdui: Future Past", the first domestic theatrical feature film with visuals entirely generated by artificial intelligence, was released nationwide. Rooted in Sichuan province and deeply engaged with the ancient Shu cultural heritage, this science fiction work brings Sanxingdui beyond archaeological texts, facilitating a dialogue between tradition and the future through the medium of cinema. Recently, Quji Xiaojiang, deputy general manager of production at Bona Film Group and supervisor of the film, accepted an exclusive interview to decode the creative fusion of ancient Shu civilization and futuristic vision behind the production.

Poster for "Sanxingdui: Future Past"

For a long time, film and television adaptations of the Sanxingdui IP have been largely confined to documentaries, popular science content, and historical tracing, where the weighty nature of archaeology often created a sense of distance. "Sanxingdui: Future Past" shifts this paradigm: it respects the archaeological foundation while reserving imaginative space for areas where academia has yet to reach a consensus. The core premise posits that symbols inscribed on bronze artifacts conceal binary codes, an idea inspired by discussions between the creators and museum experts. The experts noted that while other cultural relics have established interpretations that limit creative expansion, the inscriptions at Sanxingdui lack definitive theories or established schools of thought, thus providing ample room for imagination.

A still from "Sanxingdui: Future Past"

In the view of the creative team, the key to Sanxingdui becoming a world-class super IP lies in its vast array of unresolved historical mysteries. The ancient Shu civilization left no complete written records, its artifacts feature enigmatic designs, its sacrificial culture remains mysterious, and numerous controversies persist. Compared to subjects with well-documented historical records, Sanxingdui is inherently suited for the artistic expression of science fiction. The film constructs a resonance spanning three thousand years: the ancient Shu people cast sacred trees and masks, conducting rituals to explore the laws of heaven and earth; meanwhile, modern humans rely on artificial intelligence and big data to deduce the future. This shared pursuit of the unknown across antiquity and modernity forms a profound spiritual resonance.

"This is not an archaeological documentary, but a romantic science fiction interpretation of civilization." The team eschewed obscure terminology, adopting a narrative style that is youthful, story-driven, and futuristic to interpret the essence of ancient Shu. The bronze sacred tree and gold mask are no longer cold display objects but pivotal keys linking the past and present to unlock the code of the future. They convey to the audience that the allure of Sanxingdui lies not only in its antiquity but also in its enduring vitality, which reflects the very charm of Chinese civilization.

A still from "Sanxingdui: Future Past"

In the industrialization of China's film and television sector, AI has long played a supplementary role, primarily used for visual effects frame interpolation and restoration. Although AI-generated content saw explosive growth this year, most applications were limited to short films and micro-dramas. A full-length theatrical feature produced entirely with hyper-realistic AI workflows remained a gap in the market, one that "Sanxingdui: Future Past" has now filled. Quji Xiaojiang explained that the film brought together a team of over 100 people and took two years to refine. They independently developed the "Boka Film Cloud Studio" intelligent workflow and collaborated deeply with Shengshu Technology's Vidu platform to integrate the entire pipeline from script and storyboarding to visuals, dubbing, and scoring.

A still from "Sanxingdui: Future Past"

Advancing from short dramas to a 100-minute theatrical feature, the team generated more than 1.2 million base images and completed over 100 iterations of the full film. "We want the audience to feel that these 100 minutes are worthwhile," said the creators. Regarding the industry's significance, they believe the greatest value lies not in showcasing technical prowess but in exploring new pathways. Previously, the industry held that AI could not sustain the narrative logic and artistic texture required for a feature-length film. The film's successful approval and public release have validated the commercial viability of AI filmmaking, demonstrating that artificial intelligence can independently produce mature, release-ready theatrical works.

As an authentic "Sichuan-made" production, the film also represents a new endeavor for Sichuan's film and television industry. Speaking warmly, Quji Xiaojiang recalled, "The project originated from a heartfelt invitation from Sichuan in 2021." He described the province with three accolades: remarkable achievements in science fiction, artificial intelligence development, and animation. The film, encompassing elements of sci-fi, AI production, and animation, aligns perfectly with these strengths.

In 2024, the team released the first season of the 13-episode AI micro-drama "Sanxingdui: Future Apocalypse" to pave the way for the feature film. Leveraging Sichuan's Sanxingdui cultural tourism IP, its animation infrastructure, and its AI industry, the film integrates cultural tourism, science fiction, and cutting-edge technology to chart a new path for adapting super IPs into cinematic works.

A still from "Sanxingdui: Future Past"

According to the creators' philosophy, traditional culture is not a static relic but a living entity that evolves continuously within contemporary contexts. AI creation, characterized by its lightweight nature, high flexibility, and rapid iteration, can revitalize profound history with lower trial-and-error costs and fresher expressions. Through this approach, the film bridges the temporal gap to the ancient Shu civilization, attracting younger audiences to engage with Sanxingdui. Regarding future IP development, the team revealed that this project is merely a starting point. Based on audience feedback, they plan to deepen the Sanxingdui sci-fi universe and eventually explore crossovers with other world-class ancient civilizations, such as Egypt and the Maya, to build a cross-civilizational sci-fi narrative system.

Movie poster

Movie poster

Movie poster

Meanwhile, a live-action Sanxingdui blockbuster is set to form a multi-dimensional IP matrix comprising "AI sci-fi films + live-action blockbusters + derivative series content", continuing to tell Sichuan stories and promote Chinese civilization. Furthermore, drawing on their mature experience in AI filmmaking, the team is developing the "Unplanned" sci-fi series, with original works such as "Operation Guanghan" poised for launch, as they continue to push the boundaries of AI-powered cinematic creation.

【本篇文字部分内容由 AI 辅助写作，特此声明。Please note: the text in this article was created with the help of AI.】