Chinese Documentary 'Untethered Boat' Pays Tribute To Su Dongpo's Moral Strength

The Old Wisteria Hall – Where Su Dongpo spent his final days

CHANGZHOU, China, May 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A three-part humanistic documentary“Untethered Boat,” takes its cue from the life philosophy of Su Dongpo, also known as Su Shi, one of the most important cultural figures in Chinese history, that“the body is like a boat untethered.” This documentary was jointly produced by the Publicity Department of the Changzhou Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Zhejiang Media Group, and premiered on Zhejiang TV in December, 2025. Describing a spiritual journey about drifting and belonging, hardship and transcendence, the documentary invites audience to find inner peace and strength in Dongpo's philosophy of life and has been hailed by some viewers as“a humanistic masterpiece with warmth, depth and feeling.”

Created together with the Changzhou Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, the Tianning District Committee of CPC Changzhou Committee, Changzhou Jinling Investment Group Co., Ltd., and the Zhenglu Township Committee of the Tianning District Committee of CPC Changzhou Committee, the documentary seeks to decode the contemporary relevance of Dongpo's spirit.

Guided by Canadian cultural scholar Dashan, who traveled across more than 10 provinces and regions, the documentary moves beyond rigid historical narration and avoids any attempt to fashion a flawless sage, adopting the perspective of an equal dialogue while making Dongpo's life feel vivid, tangible and deeply relatable.

Using his footsteps as a measure, it traces breadth of Dongpo's life

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