In May 2024, the story of America's first-generation Chinese immigrants, "Sight," began its journey in mainstream American media. This film won the Best Picture award at the International Christian Film Festival. It tells the story of a Chinese student fighting against racial discrimination, striving to find the common ground between science and faith, and ultimately restoring vision to blind people worldwide.
In early July, The Gospel Herald interviewed Dr. Ming Wang, the inspiration for the film. In the interview, Dr. Wang shared his purposeful life. Hearing his story, one can feel that Dr. Wang is a man with Jesus, a purpose, and a passion, always striving to do his best.
From Dropping Out of Middle School to a Doctorate in Medicine
Growing up in Hangzhou in the 1960s, 14-year-old Ming Wang, like all students at the time, was swept up in the chaos, dropping out of middle school. The Cultural Revolution caused schools to close and education to be interrupted. With his parents' guidance and support, young Ming Wang began learning to dance and play the erhu(Chinese Violin). These skills could potentially help him join a cultural troupe and avoid being sent to the countryside. During the ten years of the Cultural Revolution, these activities accompanied him, becoming lifelong friends.
In 1976, after the Cultural Revolution ended, China resumed college entrance exams, giving students hope of continuing their education. However, Ming Wang had only a middle school education. His parents, both teachers at Zhejiang Medical College, did everything they could to help. Despite the family's poverty, they copied down knowledge points for him to study intensively. The effort paid off as Ming Wang achieved top scores in Zhejiang Province and was admitted to the University of Science and Technology of China, later being selected for further studies in the United States.
In 1982, with only $50, Ming Wang came to America, aware of his humble beginnings. Yet, his journey from this starting point to his current achievements is a source of pride for all Chinese. His story is inspirational: he earned a joint M.D. from Harvard Medical School and MIT, a Ph.D. in laser physics, served as a former FDA ophthalmic consultant, and is the CEO of Aier Eye Hospital's American division, among other titles. He is also the author of ten English ophthalmology textbooks, the inventor of the amniotic contact lens, and the pioneer of the world's first laser artificial cornea surgery. He has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Achievement Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chinese American Ophthalmological Society.
"Science is a Tool, Faith is the Goal"
Dr. Wang told The Gospel Herald that his life has five purposes: to share the knowledge he has gained, to remember his origins while embracing the present and future, to advance human knowledge and improve quality of life, to find common ground among people, and to help those in need. On his journey in medical studies, he encountered people who shared their faith with him. In helping blind children regain their sight, he realized that people's inner lives also need to receive light. In his continued search above science and faith, he found that they are not contradictory. "Jesus wants us to find common ground between science and faith," he said. He loves the term "common ground" so much that he established the Common Ground Foundation and writes to teach others to find this common ground.
Ten years ago, Dr. Wang completed his autobiography, "From Darkness to Light," which describes how his foundation helps blind children around the world regain their sight and how this journey helped his own spiritual life "restore sight."
Film Screening Across America - Chinese Support for Their Own Movie
The "Sight" film, directed by Hollywood's Andrew Hyatt, took ten years to make. The preparation phase lacked sponsors, and the shooting process faced various difficulties. Hollywood did not believe in the film's potential, thinking that a Chinese film without kung fu or period costumes would not attract American audiences. "Chinese people will watch!" Dr. Wang insisted. Despite skepticism, he started a nationwide tour: 365 days, visiting five cities each weekend, covering 40 states with 500 free screenings, reaching 50,000 Chinese people.
Everywhere he goes, he shares and promotes the film. Some Christians questioned his motives, accusing him of seeking personal success. Dr. Wang clarifies that his work is not about pursuing worldly success. "If I were chasing success, I wouldn't be doing so much charity work, helping blind children regain their sight for free, or donating so much money," he said. "What I care about is God's purpose for me, which is to help blind children regain their sight." He believes that science is a tool, and faith is the goal.
Criticism also came from outside the church, suggesting that "God wants us to do more and talk less." Dr. Wang believes that "we should not only speak but also act and not only act but also speak." It's not just about watching a movie but about actively changing the status and future of the Chinese community overseas. "Chinese people in America are too quiet," he said.
Recently, Angel Studios acquired the global rights to the film "Sight." It is available for online streaming (priced at $12 on angel.com/sight). By purchasing an Angel membership, viewers can watch this moving film from home.
This film is not just about the struggle and faith story of first-generation Chinese immigrants but also a story for the next generation. "I hope they see through my research and faith story that science and faith are not contradictory. Jesus wants us to walk with both science and faith," said Dr. Wang.
