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Get ready for an exciting new look at life in space! China is set to release its first-ever documentary filmed entirely in orbit, giving audiences an up-close and personal view of astronauts aboard its $8 billion space station. This documentary follows the Shenzhou 13 mission and is expected to make history in both space exploration and filmmaking.
An Inside Look at the Shenzhou 13 Mission
The film captures the incredible journey of astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu, from their launch on October 15, 2021, to their safe return to Earth on April 15, 2022. It documents their daily routines, maintenance tasks, spacewalks, and personal moments in zero gravity, all recorded by the astronauts themselves using specially designed cameras.
This is the first time a Chinese space mission has been filmed in such detail, and it offers an unprecedented glimpse into the challenges and wonders of life beyond Earth.
Filming in Space: Overcoming the Challenges
Director Zhu Yiran described the project as incredibly complex. “Filming a documentary in space required us to rethink everything. We couldn’t use traditional filming techniques, and even something as simple as bringing memory cards back to Earth became a challenge.”
Since the director and production team were back on Earth, the astronauts had to follow remote instructions to film everything themselves. This made the project unpredictable but also more genuine, giving audiences a real and unfiltered look at life in space.
Specialized Cameras Designed for Space
To make this documentary possible, China Media Group developed unique camera equipment that could withstand the extreme conditions of space. The cameras had to be stable in zero gravity, easy to operate, and able to handle vibrations from rocket launches. Fixed cameras were also installed to capture multiple angles of life aboard the station.
“We had to completely redesign our camera systems,” Zhu explained. “They needed to be simple enough for astronauts to use while floating in space, yet powerful enough to capture high-quality footage.”
Even transporting footage back to Earth was a challenge, as every memory card had to be carefully planned and accounted for.
Astronauts as Filmmakers
Since the entire film was shot by astronauts, they underwent special training before their mission. Over a month, they learned how to operate cameras, frame shots, and tell a compelling story through film. Even backup astronauts and future crews were given the same training to ensure high-quality footage for upcoming space missions.
Zhu wanted the astronauts to move beyond the typical “news interview” style of filming and instead embrace creative storytelling. “We encouraged them to think about cinematography and space aesthetics,” he said. “We wanted them to capture the beauty of space while staying true to their mission.”
Premiering at Filmart in Hong Kong
The documentary will debut at the China Film Pavilion during Filmart, Hong Kong’s major film industry event, co-hosted by the China Film Administration and the China Film Co-production Corporation (CFCC). This release is expected to generate excitement both within China and internationally, as the country’s film industry rebounds to pre-pandemic levels.
With renewed interest in space exploration, Chinese filmmakers are hopeful that this documentary will inspire future space-themed films and increase public enthusiasm for the nation’s space program.
A New Era for Space Filmmaking
China’s first space documentary isn’t just about astronauts—it’s about pushing the limits of storytelling and filmmaking. With space travel becoming more accessible, this project could pave the way for more documentaries, feature films, and even live broadcasts from space.
As private space travel grows, other filmmakers might follow China’s lead and capture more real-life footage from orbit. The techniques developed for this documentary could shape the future of how we experience space through film.
