[4][5] Shooting began on 15 April 2021 at Hengdian World Studios and took place in various locations including Hohhot, Xilingol League, and Wulagai Ranch, and wrapped on August 9.
Commenting on the use of flashbacks, the reviewer argues that "the film as a whole would have worked so much better, and developed some emotional power, if it had been set entirely in the past."
However, the portrayal of 1960s Inner Mongolia is standard generic, with a well-laundered look, happy grasslands life and lots of local ethnic colour (nomad games etc.).
The score by Hong Kong’s prolific Jin Peida 金培达 [Peter Kam] is gentle and respectful, with an ethnic flavour, and supports rather than invigorates the leisurely pacing.
Yee also throws in a lot of expository dialogue in the story’s first act to bring the audience up to speed on the conditions that may have led to the government sending these children to the middle of nowhere.