On January 16, it was announced that the immersive VR film Fengshen Prequel will
premiere at the East Hall of the Shanghai Museum of China on January 17. Co
presented by the Shanghai United Media Group and the Shanghai Museum, the
project represents another step in the museum’s exploration of “culture + technology”
integration, following the success of The Pharaoh’s Disappearance. This new
production will transport audiences 3,000 years back in time to the Shang dynasty
(1600–1046 BCE).
In recent years, large scale located-based VR experiences have proliferated across
China, with guided interactive formats such as The Pharaoh’s Disappearance
dominating the market. As audiences have grown more accustomed to such projects,
their expectations have also evolved – they now seek not only immersion, but also
richer storytelling and stronger dramatic impact.
To meet this demand, Fengshen Prequel has enlisted Zhao Lian, a National First
Class Screenwriter in China, to craft its narrative. Although the figure of Fu Hao – the
female general at the heart of the story – does not appear in classical historical texts,
the screenplay draws on nearly a century of archaeological and scholarly research to
weave an emotionally resonant tale. Centered on the relationship between Fu Hao
and King Wu Ding, the plot moves through pivotal historical moments such as the
“Battle of Shaofang” and a grand “Sacrificial Ceremony,” tracing a complete narrative
arc from encounter and growth to apotheosis.
As an immersive VR feature film, Fengshen Prequel foregrounds Fu Hao – historically
recognized as the country’s earliest documented female general. Using state of the
art VR panoramic technology, the film reconstructs the splendor and scale of the
Shang dynasty. Departing from conventional cinema, the experience adopts a location based entertainment (LBE) format: over roughly 40 minutes, viewers wearing
VR headsets and high fidelity headphones can move freely across hundreds of
square meters of physical space, unrestricted by fixed seating. In a recent preview,
reporter from VRAR World stepped into Fu Hao’s world as a witness to history,
gaining a firsthand sense of the legendary warrior’s expansive life and military
achievements.
