In less than two months, The Great Wall, director Zhang Yimou's latest epic, will hit screens in the US and other foreign countries. It will be a chance for overseas audiences to experience Chinese culture in cinemas. China's most expensive film production so far, the movie, with a storyline of a white hero helping the Chinese to combat an army of monsters on the world's most iconic structure, the Great Wall, has the look and feel of a Hollywood blockbuster. Hero-themed Hollywood movies have drawn millions of fans in China, but will a virtual hero created by Zhang conquer Hollywood?

The mercenary soldier played by Matt Damon is money-grabbing and lying. In order to steal Chinese black powder to make money, he and his friend stumble into an elite Chinese corps fighting mythical beasts. Inspired by the self-sacrifice and discipline of the troops, he is taught by a Chinese female general with the belief of xinren (trust) to become one of them in saving Chinese and all humankind from monsters. Therefore, the real hero and savior in this movie is the altruist Chinese female general and the Chinese virtues of bravery, unselfishness and discipline.

The film mirrors the reality. With the retreat of the West in the wave of globalization and the election of Donald Trump stunning the world, it seems the world really needs a savior. Many scholars from Western countries have turned their eyes on China. But the world is far from being ready to accept China as a savior. 

The world needs heroes. Hero-themed movies cater to popular demand as has been shown in the success of myriad Hollywood blockbusters.

But for Western audiences who have higher expectations for these movies, to what extent will a Chinese-made one, with an air of distinct imitation of Hollywood blockbusters, attract them? It's hard to say.

Based on the Western reviews about the movie so far, they don't think highly of The Great Wall. The movie is regarded as weak in plot with hardly any twists. But the more important question is: Will the Americans accept that Chinese are saviors? Probably not. They will only take The Great Wall as a production of Chinese capital that aims to promote Chinese values.

As a co-production between Chinese and US companies, many are watching whether The Great Wall will herald a new mode of filmmaking that can succeed in both Chinese and overseas markets. But Chinese factors incorporated in Hollywood movies are often criticized as pandering to the Chinese market.

It is hoped the movie can generate interest among Western audience to learn more about the Great Wall and China.