The film centering on a family who lost the only son coming to Chinese cinemas

Veteran actor Wang Jingchun (left) and actress Yong Mei at a promotional event for their award-winning film "So Long, My Son", directed by Wang Xiaoshuai, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.[Photo provided to China Plus]

The latest film by the Chinese Director Wang Xiaoshuai, called "So Long, My Son", has taken home two awards from the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. Actor Wang Jingchun and actress Yong Mei got Silver Bears for Best Actor and Best Actress for their performances.

At a promotional event for the film in Beijing on Wednesday, Wang Xiaoshuai spoke about its story.

"Wang Jingchun and Yong Mei portray a typical kind-hearted Chinese couple. This story is about how a couple in China copes with the death of their only son. They never complained to their friends whose child played with their son during the fatal accident at the reservoir. They even left the hometown for a faraway city to let their friend's family live in peace. Their kindness was the most touching part for me."

The three-hour-long film portrays a family saga spanning 30 years. Masterfully brought to life by the lead actors Wang Jingchun and Yong Mei, the film moved many in the audience to tears at Berlinale.

But will audiences in China have the patience to sit through such a long film?

Yu Dong is the CEO of the Bona Film Group. He was at the promotional event for the film on Wednesday.

"More than a decade ago, I said to Wang Xiaoshuai that there were a very limited number of cinemas in China, and they might be unlikely to screen his movies, as they often don't do well at the box office. But today, there are 10,000 cinemas in China, so they're obviously able to accommodate his long film. I'm pleading with theatres in China to schedule two or three screening a day for this good film."

"So Long, My Son" is due out in cinemas in China on March 22.