In August of 2024, I visited Hunan Province, China, to record the remarkable valor of local
villagers whose ancestors saved American pilots (commonly called the Flying Tigers) during
World War II. The resulting documentary, The Unsung Heroes Behind the Flying Tigers,
spotlights the great acts of love and solidarity that exceeded cultural and racial boundaries
during one of history’s most dreadful times.
The film narrates the story of Musk Mowen, a young American pilot whose plane was shot down
in 1945 near Ganjiashong Village. Jeopardizing their own lives, the villagers hid Mowen, shared
their scant food, and ingeniously disguised him to ensure his safe return to the military base.
Through interviews with descendants like Xu Zhong and Xu Taikang, the documentary
preserves the memory of these selfless villagers and the enduring friendship they fostered with
the Allied forces.
This work pays tribute to the unsung heroes whose sacrifices demonstrate that courage and
humanity can blossom even amidst war. It serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to
sustain peace and honor the spirit of those who came before us。
by Xiangyun Selina Liu (USA)
Cal Film Festival 