Chongqing - In the heart of Chongqing, a metro station known for its extraordinary depth is about to become the setting for a gripping sci-fi adventure. 

The Red Land Metro Station or Hongtudi Station, located 94 meters underground, is the backdrop for Red Land, a new original sci-fi web film based on a novel by local author Xiao Xinghan. Set to premiere in mid-April on the iQIYI platform, the film brings this unique location to life in a post-apocalyptic world.

Red Land takes place in the Red Land Metro Station in Chongqing, a real underground metro station known for its incredible depth—94 meters below ground. The story imagines a post-apocalyptic future where a nuclear war has forced humanity to seek refuge underground. The survivors battle mutated creatures and newly formed species in a desperate fight for survival.

Xiao Xinghan, a sci-fi writer from Chongqing, has long been dedicated to bringing his city into the sci-fi genre. His works, including Red Land, Huangnibang, Liyuchi, and Longtou Temple, all draw from local Chongqing metro stations, and he is preparing to release a collected edition titled The Dystopian Quartet of Chongqing this year.

Xiao Xinghan is a sci-fi writer from Chongqing. (Photo/The interviewee)

For Xiao, incorporating elements of Chongqing into his work feels natural, "I was born and raised here. Chongqing has shaped who I am, both physically and mentally. I'm so familiar with this city that I naturally include it in my stories."

The inspiration for Red Land came in 2018 when Xiao came across a news report about the Red Land Metro Station. Known for being 94 meters underground and able to withstand nuclear attacks, it inspired Xiao to envision it as the perfect setting for a sci-fi story. To ensure an accurate portrayal, he visited the station multiple times to capture its unique atmosphere.

In the novel, a catastrophic event called the "Battle of Qianyang" destroys the surface world. The survivors take refuge deep underground in the Red Land Metro Station, where they battle mutated creatures, including a "Mouse Tribe" inspired by the naked mole rat. These creatures, known for their resilience and immunity to cancer, are key to the fight for survival in the harsh underground world.

The poster of the Red Land.

The transition from novella to film came with its own set of challenges. "The biggest challenge was to preserve the essence of the original story while adapting it into a cinematic experience for a wider audience," Xiao said. The film's production team created impressive visual effects, building a massive set in Hengdian World Studios and using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to give the film a futuristic, high-tech look.

Beyond its visual spectacle, Red Land is also focused on the emotional journey of its characters, exploring human nature and resilience in extreme circumstances. Director Liu Kaiyi shared that the story's core is about humanity's struggle and transcendence, especially in the face of adversity. Xiao echoed this sentiment: "In sci-fi, amazing spectacles and imaginative stories are important, but to connect with a wide audience truly, it's the human emotions and everyday experiences that matter most."

As more sci-fi works are adapted into films, Xiao is excited about the potential for future projects. He believes that sci-fi IP development should focus on creating a fully integrated industry chain and hopes that more sci-fi literature will make the leap to the big screen. "I hope to see sci-fi expand into various genres like comedy, romance, war, and adventure, and I look forward to seeing more sci-fi works come to life in film."