In Marco Polo’s ancient footsteps

It’s a story about pursuing one’s dream, a story of collaboration between China and the United Kingdom, and a story of cultural exchanges and mutual learning — all contained within the new documentary film In the Footstep of Marco Polo, which had its world premiere in London earlier in July. Marco Polo was an Italian merchant and explorer who travelled through Asia along the ancient Silk Road in the 13th century, ending his journey in Dadu, the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, which is present-day Beijing. Stanley Johnson and Max Johnson at the premiere of their documentary in London in July Last year, Stanley and his youngest son, Max Johnson, participated in a China-UK documentary project that showcased the country’s astonishing landscapes while featuring engaging interviews with locals and capturing the hilarious banter between the 84-year-old father and his 39-year-old son. Following part of the ancient route, their journey covered more than 3,100 miles, starting from a land port 16,730ft above sea level on the China-Pakistan border at the Khunjerab Pass and crossing the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, through the Taklamakan Desert, through Gansu province to the Mogao Caves, traversing the highlands of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and concluding in Beijing.