斑马君 
On the heels of August 6th, the third installment in the "White Snake" series, titled White Snake: Life's Journey, unveiled its final trailer, setting the stage for a climactic showdown between Xiao Bai and Fahai, as they fight to protect their sacred vow of love. The film is scheduled for release on August 10th, and has already amassed a total box office from advance screenings and pre-sales that exceeds 46 million yuan, securing the top spot in the Qixi Festival box office rankings.
In the trailer titled "Love Conquers All," Xiao Bai discovers A Xuan's reincarnation, Xu Xian, after five centuries of searching, igniting the flame of their fated romance. However, Fahai is determined to fulfill his duty as a demon slayer and vows to tear apart the couple. The trailer showcases Fahai manipulating his prayer beads and summoning the mythical creature, the Golden-Haired Yaksha, which emits a thunderous roar, shaking the heavens and earth. Xiao Bai transforms into a colossal snake to confront Fahai in an electrifying battle sequence.
The most touching moment comes when Xu Xian defies the stereotypical image of a frail scholar, facing Fahai with courage and proclaiming, "My wife may be a demon, but we share a deep bond, and she has never wronged me!" He then plays the jade flute, a magical instrument, and cries out their wedding vow: "Fate bound us together, and we shall grow old side by side..." This portrayal of Xiao Bai and Xu Xian's unwavering devotion to each other, standing together through life and death, has been hailed by many as the epitome of Chinese romantic storytelling.
The long road of Life's Journey continues, as the national promotional tour kicks off, giving audiences in cities such as Shijiazhuang, Shenyang, Guangzhou, Fuzhou, and Wuhan the opportunity to experience the heartfelt tale of Xiao Bai and Xu Xian before its official release, followed by face-to-face interactions with the creative team.
Recently, White Snake: Life's Journey made an appearance at the 37th edition of the Popular Film Hundred Flowers Awards. Supervising producer Yu Zhou, directors Chen Jianxi and Li Jia Kai, and producer Zeng Fan Yu gathered in Rongcheng, not only attending the award ceremony but also participating in a special screening event titled "Under the Green Mountains." Many viewers expressed their admiration for this version of Xu Xian, noting that he is portrayed as more resilient and resolute than the traditional depiction of the character in the White Snake legend.
The theme song, "Life's Journey", performed by Chen Lijun among others, resonated with audiences, with Chen herself expressing her belief that this version of Xu Xian is "the one in my heart." In addition to the central love story, the film's depiction of Song Dynasty culture was praised by all age groups, with parents commenting, "Last year, we watched Chang'an: Ten Thousand Miles with our children to learn about Tang poetry. After watching White Snake: Life's Journey, not only did it provide a lesson in love, but the portrayal of Song Dynasty festivals and street scenes offered a vivid introduction to Song culture."
Some audience members were particularly impressed by the Song Dynasty-inspired settings, recalling "the bustling streets filled with artisans performing stunts like breaking stones with their chests, vendors selling broken-gold rice, and peddlers carrying goods, reminiscent of a moving Along the River During the Qingming Festival painting."
