Starring American actor Brad Pitt and directed by David Ayer, the survival thriller Heart of the Beast officially opened in Chinese cinemas on September 30.

Preview screenings themed around "Witness the Man-Dog Bond" were recently held in five Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hangzhou. The events attracted Brad Pitt fans, pet owners and outdoor enthusiasts, with many viewers moved to tears by the tender on-screen bond between Pitt and his canine co-star.

Audiences also praised the film's striking Alaskan scenery and realistic outdoor survival scenes, which included accurate demonstrations of fire-starting and field first aid.

A special post-screening talk was recently hosted in Colorado, where Ayer and Pitt shared behind-the-scenes stories about scouting for locations in rural New Zealand and casting Odin, a real search-and-rescue dog, to play the lead animal character. The film opened in North America on September 25, grossing over US$21 million in its opening weekend.