Nov. 29, 2017 -- A new Tibet-themed epic, "The Chainbreakers," is a milestone for ethnic filmmaking in China, its director said on Monday.

Director Yang Rui attended the premiere for the film at the Beijing Film Academy with the cast, including veteran Tibetan actors Tobgyal and Lobsang Namdak. As Yang is also a teacher at the Department of Literature and a graduate from the Department of Film at the academy, she called the event a "homecoming."

"This stage is the place where every filmmaker wants to be, I'm thrilled to be here today with my film," Yang said in presenting "The Chainbreakers" for examination by teachers, students and industry insiders at the academy.

Set in 1950, the epic feature relives a legend in the region's turbulent history from the perspective of a soldier in China's People's Liberation Army who participated in the peaceful liberation of Tibet and became involved in clashes as well as romance.