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This is NEWS Plus Special English.
Filmmakers have wrapped up a biopic of the real-life pilgrim whose adventures inspired the legend of Journey to the West.
The venerable Buddhist monk Xuan Zang undertook a perilous journey to India around 1,300 years ago. Now, a forthcoming film based on the legendary expedition is set to re-create history on the big screen.
As one of the most talked-about co-productions between China and India in 2015, the biographical drama Xuan Zang has recently finished post-production. The film is set for release early in 2016.
For most Chinese people, Xuan Zang is a part of childhood memories thanks to Journey to the West, a Chinese classic that has inspired scores of cartoon books, animated series and TV dramas.
But interestingly, the novel depicts Xuan Zang as a weak, nagging coward, who heavily relies on his four powerful apprentices, including the superhero Monkey King, to finish the harsh pilgrimage.
Xuan Zang was a Tang Dynasty monk who lived more than 1,300 years ago. Confused by the mistranslated, self-contradicting Buddhist texts, he made an adventurous journey to India, seeking Buddhist scriptures.
The film's director Huo Jianqi says the strong faith that compels him to seek the real answers of Buddhism supported Xuan Zang to finish his dangerous journey.
When Xuan Zang returned to China 19 years after commencing his journey, he brought with him more than 650 volumes of sacred books.
The coastal city of Qingdao, hometown of title-role actor Huang Xiaoming, held an event to release the trailers and a poster.
