The movie -Father Is Far Away- premieres in Urumqi
On October 24th in Urumqi, a beautiful moment unfolded at the premiere of the film “Father in the Distance.” Actor Tong Ruixin, who plays the role of Jiang Wanfu, shared, “I take pride in my experience of being part of creating this film beneath the Kunlun Mountains.” He went on to emphasize, “Today, we are here to present this film as our homework.”
The movie is inspired by the real-life story of Jiang Wanfu, a national moral model and a champion of ethnic unity, and depicts the touching narrative of an ordinary father who devoted his life to the medical field.
Throughout the film, Jiang Wanfu, regardless of the harsh weather or rugged terrain, diligently carries his medical bag through treacherous landscapes to provide mobile medical services for workers in Yecheng’s Second Pasture in Xinjiang. Despite facing challenging conditions with limited medical resources, he has successfully performed over 2,000 surgeries in 43 years, earning the affectionate title of “the angel in white on the back of a yak” from the diverse local community.
Director Yan Gaoshan highlighted that the performances of the actors are a key aspect of the film’s appeal. Their exceptional acting skills bring the characters to life, allowing audiences to feel immersed in the story. In particular, the lead actor’s in-depth exploration of the role has rendered Jiang Wanfu’s character more dimensional, vivid, and unforgettable.
Jing Luzhou, the Party Secretary of Tianshan Film Studio, explained that the film breaks away from traditional storytelling methods. By adopting the perspective of Jiang’s daughter, Jiang Xin, it effectively illustrates the “spirit of the army corps” embodied by Jiang Wanfu, making it a profoundly moving cinematic experience.
Tong Ruixin shared his commitment to understanding Jiang Wanfu’s spirit. Before traveling to Xinjiang, he visited Jiang’s wife, Zhao Junhua, to gain insight into the man’s true nature and the details of his life. Tong reflected, “Jiang Wanfu often said, ‘To live is to have dreams, pursuits, and a spirit of contributing to society. If you can achieve that, it’s worthwhile.’ This sentiment is beyond monetary value; as actors, we also aspire to contribute something meaningful to society.”
Audience member Mr. Mo expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you to the director and creative team of ‘Father in the Distance.’ The story moved me to tears and touched my heart.”