They first moved to Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, in November that year. But, as war approached once more, they continued their journey and finally arrived in Kunming in April 1938.

Star names shine among the interviewees in the documentary, including the globally renowned theoretical physicist C.N. Yang; translator Xu Yuanchong, who is known for his promotion of Chinese poems in the English- and French-speaking world; and Wang Xiji, designer of China's first sounding rocket and space launch vehicle. When being interviewed, their average age was 96.

"In this film, we can feel their great expectation and unstrained hearts," Xu Bei said after a preview of the documentary in Beijing earlier this month.

"Their affection and career paths can emotionally resonate with young people today. They are like our mirrors."

Their pursuit of their dreams in their youth was tough. As the interviewees recall in the documentary, living conditions in the thatched cottages were poor, and danger could come any time. They needed to watch out, not only for bedbugs, but also Japanese bombs falling from the sky.

However, the difficulties were not the threshold for Lianda to be a hub for the most brilliant minds in China at the time.