Yet, they are seldom the protagonists of films or television shows; indeed, one hardly sees their stories portrayed in popular media.
So when United States-based Malaysian producer Rachel Tan learnt about Dr Ming Wang, a dedicated doctor who developed cutting-edge technology to restore sight to the blind, she knew she had to tell his story.
This year, her film “Sight” has played in over 2,000 screens in the US, grossing over US$7 million (about RM33 million) there alone. It’s a project Tan is very proud of.
“It’s a very kind, good-hearted story, which reminds us that hope is never lost. One of its themes is that even if your past was hard, it shapes your future, so learn from it as much as you can,” the Seremban-born told FMT Lifestyle.
“Sight” tells the remarkable true story of Ming Wang, a prodigy who flees communist China to become an eye surgeon in America. While helping a young patient, he must confront his past, and draw on the resilience he gained growing up through the cultural revolution, to help her regain her vision.
Directed by Andrew Hyatt, the film stars Terry Chen (“House of Cards”), Greg Kinnear (“As Good As It Gets”, “Little Miss Sunshine”), and Fionnula Flanagan (“Song of the Sea”).
Tan said audiences have responded positively to “Sight”, with many moved by its story. She is especially delighted that it has resonated with Asian-American viewers, particularly those from the medical line.
“They felt so seen, they would wear their white coats to the cinema while watching it. And they were taking photos. They have never been the heroes in these stories before, at least not in Hollywood,” she shared.
Many of the scenes in the movie mirror the experiences of Tan and her husband Dan Mark, as well as those of their family members, with issues of immigration and identity. It, therefore, was important for her to make the story of “Sight” as authentic as possible, without it coming across as “cultural tourism”.
Of course, you can’t make a biopic without the blessing of the person whose story you’re telling. Tan had the honour of having the real Ming Wang actively involved with their project, and he even makes an appearance in the film!
“He really cared about all the medical details of the shoot, correcting us if he needed to – he was a great consultant. He’s such an intelligent person, such a brilliant and rare genius,” Tan enthused.
She is currently in talks with distributors to bring the film to Malaysia, where she hopes it will be screened soon.
A former Miss Malaysia, Tan and her husband started King Street Pictures in 2013. Their projects include “Heavenquest: A Pilgrim’s Progress” (2020) and “Snakehead” (2021).
Their next film is the romantic comedy “Worth the Wait”, which is based on Tan and Mark’s own love story. Partially shot in Kuala Lumpur last year, it stars Lana Condor, Ross Butler and Karena Lam, and is directed by Golden Horse Award-winning director Tom Lin.
According to Tan, King Street Pictures is dedicated to producing diverse and forward-thinking films, and they hope to serve as a “bridge” between Hollywood and talent in Asia.
“We have so many talented people that the whole world needs to know about. I think we’re lucky now to be part of an Asian wave, started by films like ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, ‘Parasite’ and ‘Minari’. So many amazing people have paved a path for us.
“We hope to keep showcasing our beautiful culture and people and stories, and put them on an international platform,” she concluded.
For more information about ‘Sight’, visit its official website.