Spy drama brings unsung heroes to life

Over his nearly two-decade pursuit of justice, the protagonist endures unbearable pain that most could not withstand — intentionally serving a year in prison to approach a gang leader, witnessing a young woman he treasures like a sister being fatally stabbed by his foe, and narrowly escaping death at the hands of multiple thugs. Despite aging into a weary middle age, his unwavering determination remains fixed on apprehending the culprit.

"Liao truly deserves the Berlin award. He spent a huge amount of time preparing for the role, resulting in a flawless performance in every aspect," reviews the director.

As a longtime friend of Liao, Qi recalls cooperating with Liao in the 2019 film Wild Goose Lake, a nominee for the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in France. The experience left a lasting impression on Qi, who plays a supporting role in the movie, as he remembers Liao for his determined face and rugged demeanor.

One intriguing plotline recounts how Liao's character is mistakenly identified as the spy by the police due to their comparable height, physique and facial features. The confusion is caused because the spy cleverly disguises himself with a bucket hat to conceal his face. Moreover, he fabricates a cigarette butt with the officer's DNA and strategically places it at the crime scene, deepening the mystery.

"Finding an actor who resembled Liao was quite a challenge. One day, while I was reading the script, a crew member snapped a photo of my profile and held it up, suggesting that I could be the perfect fit," reminisces Qi about how he unexpectedly became the actor to portray the spy.

Reflecting on the filming process, which lasted from October to December last year in Southwest China's Sichuan province, Qi also mentions his greatest challenge — the scarcity of time due to the demanding schedule and constrained budget.