August visited China multiple times to do the historical background work for the film, according to China Movie Report.

"It (directing the movie) was almost like a dream that came true, because all of a sudden I was a part of Chinese culture," August adds.

What surprised him more was that he sensed almost no difference between filming in China and the West, although he once thought there would be problems with the language or cultural differences.

"The Chinese cast and crew were extremely committed and professional," he says.

China, which is the world's second-largest movie market, makes around 800 feature-length films each year, with nearly 10 percent being productions with foreign filmmakers as well.

"My favorite films are stories about interactions between people. The beauty of filmmaking makes me know about China and the daily life of Chinese people," says the director.

But he has also discovered some shortcomings in the country's movie industry.

"It's a pity that there is so much focus on fast money. I wish that Chinese producers would make more different films about human relationships."