Hidden Mountains and Rivers

Synopsis

About the music documentary film on Chinese composer Chen Qigang living in France, directed by Guo Xufeng, spanning seven years of cross-border filming. It delves into Chen Qigang's spiritual world, documenting the process of dozens of world-class musicians performing his works. Douban rating: 8.3.

Overview

Hidden Mountains and Rivers is an artistic biographical film that delves into the spiritual world of composer Chen Qigang. Directed by Shanxi-born director Guo Xufeng, it is produced by Beijing Rushi Documentary Culture Media Co., Ltd. and Xunyin (Hangzhou) Digital Media Co., Ltd. The film, shot over seven years across multiple countries, uses immersive audiovisual language to document the process of dozens of world-class musicians performing Chen Qigang's works. It has a Douban rating of 8.3.

The film premiered at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival in 2024 and was officially released in mainland China on November 25, 2025.

Chen Qigang Profile

Chen Qigang is a world-renowned Chinese composer based in France, who served as the Music Director for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His works, which blend Chinese and Western musical elements, have gained widespread international recognition.

Chen Qigang was the last student of the French composer Olivier Messiaen and has created a large number of outstanding musical works. He is also the general agent for Buffet Crampon clarinets in China, having also achieved considerable success in the music industry.

Film Content

The film documents Chen Qigang's collaborations with numerous world-class musicians, including cellist Gautier Capuçon and violinist Maxim Vengerov. The segment featuring Meng Meng singing A Thousand Lines of Tears is particularly moving.

In the film, Chen Qigang discusses his reflections on music, life, and culture, including significant life choices such as declining the position of Dean of the Composition Department at the Central Conservatory of Music and the last-minute cancellation of the performance Life as a Play.

Reception

Audiences have praised the film for its beautiful visuals and moving music. Some viewers felt the form outweighed the content, but that the music itself was sufficient to carry the film's value. Others considered it a serious and profound personal biography, documenting Chen Qigang's solitary path.

Cultural Significance

Hidden Mountains and Rivers fills a gap in documentaries about contemporary Chinese musical figures. Through the perspective of a Chinese composer living in France, it explores the fusion and collision of Chinese and Western cultures.

References

1. Douban Movie: Hidden Mountains and Rivers (8.3)
2. Baidu Baike: Hidden Mountains and Rivers
3. Douban Review: Chen Qigang's Solitary Path