Documentary “Guangzhou Story” to premiere on CCTV9

A five-episode feature documentary series titled “Guangzhou Story”, which delves into the 40 years of reform and opening-up in Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong province, will premiere soon on CCTV9, the documentary channel of China Central Television (CCTV).

A series preview was shown at the Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival on Dec. 16. “Guangzhou Story” consists of five episodes, with each telling the stories of a handful of people within 30 minutes, showcasing Guangzhou's culture of openness, inclusiveness, and dynamism.

By closely observing the daily life of people from all walks of life in Guangzhou, “Guangzhou Story” has touched the hearts of many people who were lucky enough to watch the preview.

Chen Weirong's story is an example of people in the city who have endeavored to make the world a better place. Chen is a prominent eye doctor who has witnessed the vast improvements across China’s medical services since 1988, and has offered to see patients for free, giving eye tests in the local park and performing free operations for underprivileged cataract patients over the course of four years.

“Curing patients is the life goal as well as the source of happiness for most doctors,” said Chen, who spoke at a symposium for the documentary “Guangzhou Story” on Dec. 16, adding that she hopes to pass on positive energy through her work.

“What impressed me the most is that this documentary has revealed true-life stories in the city,” said Jiang Bing, a literary critic and professor at Guangdong University of Finance and Economics.

“Guangzhou Story” has shown that the local people are pragmatic and open, noted Jiang, adding that the personalities of those in the documentary are closely linked with the characteristics of the city.

“Though the documentary doesn't delve too much into the major principles and theoretical basis of reform and opening-up, we can still feel the pursuit of Guangzhou through the stories in the documentary,” noted Zhang Jinsheng, deputy head of the School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University.

The documentary provides people with a three-dimensional view of Guangzhou via these stories, according to Zhang, who pointed out that the qualities these people have shown are not only influential to the local people of Guangzhou, but are also inspirational for people throughout the country.

“Guangzhou Story" is the story of people like doctor Chen, who live and work in Guangzhou and love the city,” noted Zeng Weiyu, a chief documentary director.

“Guangzhou Story” was co-produced by the Publicity Department of Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Guangzhou association of social sciences, and the Central Studio of News Reels Production, China’s state-run production base for news and documentary films.