Once a year, the Confucius Institute Munich brings Chinese films to the big screen: Cinema productions never shown in Germany before, documentaries and classics have been screened at the Chinese Film Festival Munich since 2013. Since April 2021, friends of Asian cinema can now watch Chinese-language films online all year round.

From arthouse and action to melodrama and zombie, there is something for everyone. All films are shown in the original version with subtitles. At irregular intervals, Chinese filmmakers and filmmakers present themselves exclusively in the livestream. Each film is available on the streaming portal from Friday 10:00 to Sunday 23:00.

The cinema premiered on April 23, 2021 with the documentary "Four Springs" (2019, original title: 四个春天) by LU Qingyi. Since then, many films have already screened, including "Inner Landscape", "June 30th", "A Bright Summer Diary", "My Father at Grandma's Funeral", "Petty Things", "Puzzle", "Three Adventures of Brooke", "Girls Always Happy", "Love Education" and "Wrath of Silence".

Participation is free for members of the Confucius Institute Munich Alumni Network. Please register with the alumni mailing list. You received the link by e-mail during the first week of the course.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Friday, April 25, 2025, 10 am - Sunday, April 27, 2025, 11 pm

»Beyond the Skies«

China, 2021, 90 Minutes
Director: LIU Zhihai
War movie

Synopsis:

"To be or not to be" – this is the question posed by Beyond the Skies. The war film follows the young soldier Hong Qichen, who fights through the blood-soaked ruins to blow up the enemy's ammunition depot within 48 hours. In the treacherous mountains, he assembles a team of wounded soldiers to engage in a fierce battle. As his comrades fall before his eyes, the question arises whether their sacrifices are worth it. With each passing hour, the mission becomes more difficult. Those who still believe continue to fight, while others sink into the abyss of history. Beyond the Skies is a pilgrimage to death, a heart-wrenching utopian epic about the Chinese Civil War that embodies the poetics of Chinese cinema.

The Director on the Film:

Beyond the Skies is not just a war film; it is a meditation on fate, sacrifice, and faith. In the face of destruction, what keeps a soldier fighting? Hong Qichen’s journey is not just about fulfilling a mission – it’s about questioning the meaning of survival and the price of duty. As his comrades fall one by one, the film captures the fragility of life and the brutal reality of war.

I wanted to create a film that combines raw intensity with poetic storytelling. The desolate landscapes, the desperate battles, and the fleeting moments of humanity amidst the chaos all contribute to an atmosphere that lingers in the audience’s memory. Beyond the Skies does not glorify war but shows its contradictions – heroism and meaninglessness, hope and despair. Through this story, I hope the viewers will reflect on the price of ideals and the weight of history.

About the Director:

LIU Zhihai is a professor at the Faculty of Film and Animation at the China Academy of Art, as well as a director and curator. He has been actively involved in directing, planning, and teaching films and documentaries for many years, dedicating himself to the creation and research of Chinese poetic cinema. Additionally, he promotes the social popularization and academic training of art films in China.

The ticket pre-sale begins on April 11, 2025.

Here's the link to the streaming plattform