As a young Chinese woman swirls on her toes to the music of Swan Lake, the scene abruptly changes to that of a battlefield on which former Soviet troops are seen helping Chinese villagers fight Japanese invaders.

The setting is from Ballet in the Flames of War, a 35-million-yuan ($5.5 million) movie, which has been produced by a Chinese government-backed studio and involves Russian filmmakers. It is expected to hit Chinese mainland theaters on Friday.

Nearly 10 percent screening occupancy at cinemas will be arranged on that day.