It is an autobiographical fiction starring Ivens as an old man who has spent his life trying to "tame the wind and harness the sea" by capturing them on film.

Joris Ivens
as Self

Liu Zhuang
as

Wang Delong
as

Wang Hong
as

Fu Dalin
as

Liu Guilian
as

Chen Zhijian
as

Zou Qiaoyu
as

Paul Sergent
as

Liu Hongyiu
as Self - Interpreter (uncredited)