“Sight” is a biographical drama directed by Andrew Hyatt, and written by Hyatt, John Duigan, and Buzz McLaughlin. The film, based on a true story is about a Chinese immigrant who comes to the United States and becomes a renowned eye surgeon. It is also based on Wang’s 2016 autobiography From Darkness to “Sight”. I came across “Sight”, as it was listed as a featured film, thinking that it sounded good, I went to see it. My tuition paid off, this faith-based film rocked.
“Sight” tells the story of a Chinese family of doctors living in China around the time of the Cultural Revolution. The film focuses on young Ming Wang (Jayden Zhang) who wants to follow in the family business of being a doctor. Ming’s best friend Lili (Sara Ye) shadowed Ming throughout the film. Convinced they would be together forever, Ming was quite happy. When Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution began between 1966 and 1976, teachers, artists, scientists, and medical professionals were terrorized across the country. Student activists began an ideological purge of so-called capitalist values. Ming (Ben Wang), now 14, found himself the target of bullying soldiers who insulted, beat, and insisted that Ming join their resistance. Ming’s parents Zhensheng (Donald Heng) and Leonne Wang (Alian) were very supportive of Ming but were defenseless against the revolutionist soldiers. Eventually, the schools were shut down along with Ming’s dream of being a doctor. He learned to play a Chinese instrument called “erhu” and he also learned to dance in order to be valuable enough to work.
Having survived China, Ming became a doctor in the United States. A blind orphan from Calcutta India, Kajal (Mia SwamiNathan) along with her guardian, Sister Marie (Fionnula Flanagan) arrives in the waiting room of Dr. Ming Wang (Terry Chen), seeking a miracle. Dr. Wang, now a world-renowned eye surgeon must confront his past – and draw on the resilience he gained growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution – to try to restore her sight. Dr. Wang and his team Dr. Misha Bartnovsky (Greg Kinnear) and Ruth (Natasha Mumga) don’t think this miracle can really take place but they keep their faith in Dr. Wang.
This faith-based film is heartfelt, based on a true story, and is actually true to life. There are very few modifications from the original story. “Sight” is hard to watch because of the emotions it drudges up, (bring tissues). What happens in China is heartbreaking and there is still some unfinished business that we will probably never get answers to, but what we do know is Ming made it through. Dr. Wang is the developer of the Amniotic Membrane. An amniotic membrane contact lens is made from the innermost layer of the placenta. It has regenerative and healing properties that help dry eye syndrome and corneal scarring, according to the Wang Vision Institute. The lens is for patients who have suffered injury, trauma, infection, and malnutrition. Kajal’s story is unimaginable and her outcome is truly sad. “Sight’s” intention is to focus on Dr. Ming Wang and not make any political statements. “Sight” is a very good, solid film with many teaching moments. “Sight’s” narrative has much more to offer and I highly recommend it to all. “Sight” is currently playing in theaters — Check It Out!
In the United States and Canada, “Sight” was scheduled to be released alongside Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The Garfield Movie, and was projected to gross around $3 million from 2,100 theaters in its four-day opening weekend. It went to debut on $2.8 million on the first weekend, finishing seventh at the box office. To date, Sight has grossed $6,818,664 worldwide.
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 69% of 32 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.9/10. The website’s consensus reads: “A faith-based film with a sweetly humanist grounding, Sight blinks at delivering much tonal nuance but delivers its true inspirational tale with moving conviction.”
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