A moment from the opening ceremony of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival in Beijing on April 16.

A still from the film Red Silk.

MOSCOW — On the outskirts of Moscow, the set of the spy thriller Black Silk is more than a filming location — it offers a glimpse into a growing cinematic partnership between China and Russia.

During a recent visit to the set, Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova described such large-scale international cooperation as "unimaginable" a decade ago. She noted that the task now is to employ modern cinematic language to create emotional resonance for audiences in both countries.

The collaboration is underpinned by a strategic action plan signed in May 2025, in which film authorities from China and Russia committed to a long-term road map for cooperation through 2030. The plan prioritizes joint productions and cross-border film exchanges to deepen cultural ties through cinema.

At the production site, actors from China, Russia, Serbia, Japan and Germany are preparing for their roles. Costumes from different eras and regions coexist, while scripts annotated in multiple languages reflect the multilingual nature of the set.

Black Silk follows the success of its predecessor, Red Silk, a flagship project under the China-Russia Years of Culture framework. With earnings of $1.8 million, Red Silk topped the rankings of the highest-grossing Russian films of 2025 at the foreign box office.

The new production aims to build on that momentum with enhanced scale and quality.

Set in 1930s Shanghai, Black Silk unfolds against a backdrop of international intrigue, centering on a high-stakes search for a mysterious cargo.

While rich in action, the film also draws on historical narratives. Screenwriter Maria Nefedova said the creative team seeks to present history in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences. "Russia and China share a long history of good-neighborly relations. We have faced challenges together, and I hope the film reflects the mutual support between our peoples," she said.

To re-create scenes at sea, the production team constructed a large vessel mounted on a hydraulic platform, equipped with a water discharge system to simulate waves and storms. The set allows for dynamic, immersive filming conditions.

Chinese actress Zheng Hanyi, who also appeared in Red Silk, said the experience goes beyond filmmaking. "It is also a process of cultural exchange. You can feel the two cultures learning from each other," she said, expressing hope for more joint projects in the future.

Lyubimova said films play an important role in cultural exchange. She expressed confidence that Black Silk will further advance cooperation between filmmakers of the two countries.

Production is currently ongoing, with the film slated for release in 2027.

According to Svetlana Balanova, CEO of National Media Group in Russia, film projects jointly produced by Russia and China are strengthening bilateral ties and promoting cultural dialogue.

Balanova highlighted Red Silk as a milestone in advancing a systematic approach to jointly promoting national cinema and producing works that reflect shared values.

Last year marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. According to Balanova, Russian audiences were drawn to the film's dynamic storyline and performances, while Chinese viewers were attracted by its portrayal of resilience in harsh Siberian conditions.

She added that the sequel will retain key elements that appealed to audiences in the original while expanding its narrative scope, visual style and production capabilities."Black Silk is an independent story with new mysteries and characters, accessible to fans of the first film and those just getting to know the story, both in Russia and abroad," she said.

Following the success of the first installment, Balanova expressed optimism that the sequel would achieve a strong box-office performance and attract a wider global audience.