Tangshan, 1976. The northern Chinese city was impoverished when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck on July 28. At least 240,000 people perished as the city's industrial landscape was reduced to rubble.

Thirty-four years later, director Feng Xiaogang is revisiting one of modern China's deadliest natural catastrophes in a 135 million Chinese yuan epic due out July 22.

"After several screenings, the most significant result was that the audience was deeply touched by the film. Everybody was in tears for what the Tangshan people experienced." It's not a typical summer blockbuster, especially for a successful commercial filmmaker well known for his comedies. But Feng said that China needs a movie like this that showcases the Chinese people's love of family and their character. "I felt that people around us were emotionless in the past. I thought relationships between all of us are on a tense footing, no more love and decency. After seeing the audience watch the film, I think there is still philanthropy and goodwill in society. We opened the gate to this goodness with this movie."

In addition to recreating the sheer physical destruction, "Aftershock" examines the aftermath of the quake.

“I felt my heart stayed calm after filming. It's hard to explain, but I really felt peace in my heart. Perhaps after certain years and restless days, something stable will arise in your mind suddenly. That's how I felt. I can face up to everything now." The production of "Aftershock" was a technical breakthrough for the Chinese film industry. Visual effects experts from South Korea and France created the devastating scenes.

New Zealand's Weta Workshop, the Oscar-winning design company behind the "Lord of the Rings", also gave advice on miniature models that doubled for 1976 Tangshan.