Blab Entertainment
US Trailer Unveiled for Chinese War Epic Crossing, Set for Limited July Release
On June 21, 2026, the American distributor Well Go USA released the official trailer for the Chinese war film Crossing, also marketed as Four Crossings or 四渡 in Mandarin. The trailer, posted on YouTube, showcases the film’s large‑scale battle sequences and introduces the main cast, including Ye Liu, Lei Wang, Yosh Yu, and Zhifei Wang.
Crossing follows the true story of the 1935 Battle of Chishui River, a pivotal engagement during the Chinese Red Army’s Long March. The plot centers on a 400,000‑troop encirclement by Nationalist forces and the Red Army’s daring strategy to cross the Chishui River four times, a maneuver credited to Mao Zedong. The narrative also highlights the personal journeys of an elderly soldier bound by a sacred vow and a homeless orphan, whose bond illustrates themes of devotion and sacrifice.
The film is directed by Xu Zhanxiong, who previously helmed Wild Grass, The Pioneer, and Burning Stars. The screenplay was written by Yi Liu, and production was overseen by Dong Yu. Crossing premiered in China earlier this week, with the U.S. release scheduled for July 10, 2026 in select theaters. The trailer’s release on June 21 serves to build anticipation for the U.S. audience.
The historical backdrop of the film is the Battle of Chishui River, known in China as the Four Crossings of the Chishui River (四渡赤水). This 1935 battle marked the first major engagement commanded by Mao Zedong during the Long March and is regarded as a turning point in the early phase of the Chinese Civil War. The Chishui River, a tributary of the Yangtze, flows through Sichuan and Guizhou provinces and has long been associated with the Red Army’s strategic maneuvers.
Xu Zhanxiong’s directorial style has been noted for its focus on historical events and character‑driven storytelling. His earlier work, The Pioneer, was a biographical drama about Li Dazhao, one of the founders of the Chinese Communist Party, and was released in China on July 1, 2021. The director’s experience with politically significant subjects positions Crossing within a lineage of Chinese war dramas that aim to portray the Red Army’s struggles.
For U.S. audiences, Crossing represents a rare opportunity to view a Chinese war epic that emphasizes both large‑scale military strategy and intimate human stories. The film’s limited theatrical release aligns with a growing trend of international war films entering the U.S. market through selective screenings, often followed by streaming availability.
As of now, Crossing remains in the U.S. theatrical window, with no announced plans for festival screenings or streaming releases. The film’s performance will be monitored closely by distributors and historians interested in how contemporary Chinese cinema interprets pivotal moments of the nation’s past.
The U.S. release of Crossing on July 10, 2026, will be the first opportunity for American viewers to experience the film’s depiction of the Chishui River battle. The film’s availability in select theaters may also prompt discussions about the portrayal of historical events in cinema and the role of international distribution in shaping global perceptions of Chinese history.
Crossing follows the true story of the 1935 Battle of Chishui River, a pivotal engagement during the Chinese Red Army’s Long March. The plot centers on a 400,000‑troop encirclement by Nationalist forces and the Red Army’s daring strategy to cross the Chishui River four times, a maneuver credited to Mao Zedong. The narrative also highlights the personal journeys of an elderly soldier bound by a sacred vow and a homeless orphan, whose bond illustrates themes of devotion and sacrifice.
The film is directed by Xu Zhanxiong, who previously helmed Wild Grass, The Pioneer, and Burning Stars. The screenplay was written by Yi Liu, and production was overseen by Dong Yu. Crossing premiered in China earlier this week, with the U.S. release scheduled for July 10, 2026 in select theaters. The trailer’s release on June 21 serves to build anticipation for the U.S. audience.
The historical backdrop of the film is the Battle of Chishui River, known in China as the Four Crossings of the Chishui River (四渡赤水). This 1935 battle marked the first major engagement commanded by Mao Zedong during the Long March and is regarded as a turning point in the early phase of the Chinese Civil War. The Chishui River, a tributary of the Yangtze, flows through Sichuan and Guizhou provinces and has long been associated with the Red Army’s strategic maneuvers.
Xu Zhanxiong’s directorial style has been noted for its focus on historical events and character‑driven storytelling. His earlier work, The Pioneer, was a biographical drama about Li Dazhao, one of the founders of the Chinese Communist Party, and was released in China on July 1, 2021. The director’s experience with politically significant subjects positions Crossing within a lineage of Chinese war dramas that aim to portray the Red Army’s struggles.
For U.S. audiences, Crossing represents a rare opportunity to view a Chinese war epic that emphasizes both large‑scale military strategy and intimate human stories. The film’s limited theatrical release aligns with a growing trend of international war films entering the U.S. market through selective screenings, often followed by streaming availability.
As of now, Crossing remains in the U.S. theatrical window, with no announced plans for festival screenings or streaming releases. The film’s performance will be monitored closely by distributors and historians interested in how contemporary Chinese cinema interprets pivotal moments of the nation’s past.
The U.S. release of Crossing on July 10, 2026, will be the first opportunity for American viewers to experience the film’s depiction of the Chishui River battle. The film’s availability in select theaters may also prompt discussions about the portrayal of historical events in cinema and the role of international distribution in shaping global perceptions of Chinese history.
