"Shadows of the Great Wall". Our First Edutainment Film. Working on the Script.

"Shadows of the Great Wall" – an educational adventure stereo film that immerses viewers in the history of great Chinese discoveries.

A brother and sister find themselves in ancient China, where they encounter the Shadow of the Emperor — a spirit eager to erase human knowledge. Traveling through different eras, they uncover the secrets behind the invention of the compass, gunpowder, paper, and silk, overcome trials, and unite ancient wisdom to protect history from oblivion.

1. INTRODUCTORY

Narration Text

(The narrator’s voice sounds deep and mesmerizing, accompanied by mysterious music.)

Darkness has always concealed ancient secrets. In the forgotten mirrors of the past, illusions reflected—illusions that ruled destinies.

But today, two brave souls, a brother and sister, embark on a journey. They must unravel ancient mysteries, learn to see through the shadows, and understand that reality is not only what the eyes perceive.

They will discover how great masters transformed light into a miracle. How ancient knowledge gave birth to science, and the art of shadows held the key to truth.

Their path leads to the very heart of forgotten history, where the Emperor’s shadow awaits.

(The music intensifies, scenes shift — a palace in darkness, mysterious reflections, the heroes approaching.)

2. THE STORY OF A CHINESE SHIP CAPTAIN ABOUT THE COMPASS

(The sound of waves and creaking wooden boards. The captain, standing on the deck, gazes into the distant horizon.)

When I was a young sailor, we navigated by the stars and currents, just as our ancestors had done for centuries. But one day we encountered an endless fog—no sun, no moon, no shores. We were lost. Then an old wise man aboard took out a strange plate with a sharp tip—a piece of magnetite. He placed it on a boat filled with water, and the needle stopped, pointing north. This was the first compass, zhēnnánzhēn—the "needle pointing south." The invention came to us from the depths of Chinese history, when scholars of the Han era noticed that magnetite was attracted to a certain direction. Later, craftsmen created the first compasses for travel, allowing our fleets to conquer the seas, discover new lands, and trade with distant peoples. The compass changed everything. With it, our people no longer feared storms or lost their way in the open ocean. It became a symbol of knowledge, confidence, and connection between people. Now, standing here on the deck of my ship, I see how the compass needle points the way—not just north or south, but to the future, to new discoveries and adventures. 

(The sound of the wind grows stronger, the ship moves further into the boundless ocean.)

3. THE STORY OF MASTER BI SHEN ABOUT THE PRINTING PRESS

(The quiet creak of wooden blocks, warm light from an oil lamp. Master Bi Gen gently holds a ceramic character in his hands.)

When I was a child, books were treasures available to only a few. Every word was carved by hand, every page copied with a brush on silk. I dreamed of a day when knowledge could be shared faster, like the flowing water in a river.

So I began to experiment. What if the characters, these beautiful hieroglyphs, could be printed instead of written over and over again? I tried carving them into wood, but the wood wore down. Then I took clay, fired it, and made hard, durable letters.

(The master takes the blocks and shows them to his student.)

I arranged them in a row, covered them with ink, and pressed them onto paper. And there it was—a clear, sharp print! Now knowledge no longer depended on the speed of the scribe’s hand.

My method changed everything. Books became accessible not only to emperors but also to scholars, merchants, and craftsmen. Words began to travel like caravans along the Silk Road, connecting the minds of people.

(The master smiles, holding a freshly printed sheet.)

Knowledge is a fire that must burn in hearts. And now this fire can shine for the whole world.

(The sound of turning pages, the voice of a student amazed by what he sees.)

4. THE ALCHEMIST’S TALE OF GUNPOWDER AND FIREWORKS

(Alchemist’s laboratory, faint candlelight. The scientist carefully mixes powders, watching the reaction.)

When I was young, we alchemists of the Tang era sought the elixir of immortality. We combined sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter—hoping to unlock the secret of eternal life. But fate had other plans.

One day, in the 9th century, a mixture in my laboratory burst into a dazzling flame! A second later—a thunderous roar, sparks flying into the air. We did not find immortality, but we discovered a power capable of coloring the sky and changing the course of history.

(The scientist carefully takes a scroll and writes down formulas.)

Thus, gunpowder was born. At first, it was used in rituals—magical flashes honoring the gods. Later, masters created fireworks to light up the sky during celebrations, bringing joy and reminding people that even darkness can be illuminated by fire.

Later, during the Song dynasty, gunpowder began to be used in warfare. In 970, warriors used incendiary arrows, and in 1132, Chen Gui created the “fire spear”—a primitive flamethrower shooting flames two meters long.

(The scientist gazes at the starry sky, where the first fireworks burst.)

But I believe the true power of gunpowder lies in light, not destruction. Every time I see fireworks, I remember the moment sparks shone in my hands.

(The crackling sound of fire, the scientist smiles.)

Background:

The invention of gunpowder in China is attributed to ancient alchemists who were searching for the elixir of immortality. One of the notable scholars connected to early gunpowder research was Sun Simiao, an outstanding Chinese physician and alchemist. However, gunpowder as an explosive substance was first described in the 9th century, and its formulas were further developed during the Song dynasty.

5. THE FINAL BATTLE: CLASH WITH THE SHADOW OF THE EMPEROR

(A night storm rages over the ancient palace. A brother and sister, armed with knowledge and light, stand before the throne where a figure shrouded in shadows looms.)

Preparing for Battle

In the brother’s hand is a mirrored disk reflecting the moonlight. The sister holds an ancient scroll with formulas for the game of shadows. They understand: the Shadow of the Emperor feeds on fear, darkness, and doubt. To win, they must shatter the illusion and restore light to the palace.

The First Strike – Illusions Shatter

The Shadow of the Emperor unleashes a whirlwind of mist that conceals reality. They lose sight of each other, and the space around them warps. The brother swiftly raises the mirror, directing the light straight into the shadow’s eyes. The sister begins to recite ancient verses, making the darkness tremble.

Counterattack – Phantom Hands

Black silhouettes appear around them, trying to break their will. The brother throws the scroll into the air, and the text begins to glow. The sister turns the mirror, reflecting the phantom hands back into the depths of the palace. The shadow growls fiercely but starts to weaken—its illusions can no longer hide the truth.

The Decisive Moment – The Rift in Reality

The mirror cracks, releasing one last flash of light. The Shadow of the Emperor screams as its form dissipates like smoke. The image behind the throne changes—where once was darkness, now stands an ancient temple filled with radiance. The brother and sister take their final step forward—and the shadow vanishes forever.

(The moon emerges from behind the clouds, light floods the palace. They have won. Now knowledge, not fear, will rule this place.)

6. FINAL

Closing Narration Text

(The narrator’s voice sounds solemn, accompanied by the melody of dawn over an ancient palace.)

Light has triumphed over darkness. The brother and sister have journeyed through knowledge, from the illusions of shadows to the true reflection of the world. They have learned that fear vanishes before those who see clearly. That the mysteries of the past are not barriers, but keys to understanding. And now, as the palace is once again filled with light, their journey does not end. It continues in every gaze seeking truth, in every heart striving for wisdom.

(The music swells, the camera rises, revealing a radiant horizon.)

***