Angel Studios recently unveiled the release dates for several upcoming projects, including “Sight,” a film based on the true story of a Chinese immigrant who escapes communism, becomes a renowned laser eye surgeon, and restores the sight of a blind orphan.
“’Sight’ is bringing in Chinese and Asian Americans in huge numbers, and the more diversity we get in the Angel Guild of ideas from different cultures, the better the decisions the Guild will make,” Angel Studios Chief Content Officer Jeff Harmon told The Epoch Times.
The Angel Guild is a 250,000-strong worldwide network of creators, which votes on and determines which completed film projects, television scripts, or screenplays Angel Studios will undertake.
“Sight” was presented to the Angel Guild as a completed feature film. Actor Terry Chen portrays Dr. Wang Ming, Greg Kinnear portrays Misha Bartnovsky, and Mia SwamiNathan portrays Kajal, the blind orphan.
“’Sight’ is unbelievable,” Mr. Harmon added. “I’m very excited about it.”
Other Angel Studios projects scheduled for release in 2024 and 2025 are “Bonhoeffer,” “Possum Trot,” “Homestead,” and “David.”
Based on Dr. Wang’s autobiography “From Darkness to Sight,” the movie “Sight” documents his journey as a first-generation Chinese American who immigrated from China in 1982 and invented a cure for certain types of blindness.
“It’s a story of contributing back to America because, as an immigrant, you can’t just take advantage of what America has to offer,” Dr. Wang told The Epoch Times. “We also have a duty and responsibility to help keep America strong. This film talks about that.”
The movie was produced by David E. Fischer, while Dr. Wang participated as a co-writer, one of the investors, and executive producer. Andrew Hyatt directed.
“They say there’s no common ground between science and faith, but I feel my invention is a Christ-inspired idea that using the placenta amniotic membrane, which surrounds all of us before birth, may give rise to the scarless ability of a fetus,” Dr. Wang said.
He created the amniotic membrane contact lens, which, when placed over the injured eye, can improve eyesight.
Dr. Wang subsequently donated the patent to the world.
“I put it online, and over a 20-year period, I went around the world teaching eye doctors in more than 50 nations how to use this new amnio membrane contact lens,” he said. “Why? Because I used to have nothing when I came to this country. I’m so grateful to America for the opportunity to find freedom and faith.”
The amniotic membrane industry has a $3.20 billion market size globally, according to Emergen Research.
Dr. Wang is currently working on extending the technology to other parts of the eye as well as other parts of the human body.
“One particular area that we are looking at is U.S. military warfront burn victims,” Dr. Wing said in an interview with The Epoch Times. “We’re trying to figure out how to use the amnio membrane using a different delivery system to reduce the human body’s scarring response.”
It took 10 years for “Sight” to make it to the silver screen, according to Dr. Wang.
“It was rejected by every single major distributor because it’s an immigrant faith journey, so it’s not a priority,” he said. “For many distributors, they prefer sci-fi, cartoons, sex, and violence. It doesn’t have the standard predictor for box office success, which is kung fu or ancient Asian dynasty.”
Dr. Wang’s story will be in theaters starting on May 24. Tickets are being pre-sold to ensure success.“We want people to buy the ticket now to show theaters that people want this film to be brought to their town,” Dr. Wang said. “We want this film to show more than just opening weekend.”
Dr. Wang is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard and MIT and currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where he established the Wang Vision Institute.
His mission is to break the stereotype around Asians in the United States. If successful, “Sight” will be the first film about a Chinese American who is not a Jackie Chan stereotype.
“It’s important for Chinese Americans to be encouraged and tell their stories, but also, this film is for all Americans because, despite all the problems we have, like racial tensions, poverty, and economic challenges, we are living in the best nation,” he said. “People all over the world are trying to live here.”
Pew Research Center data show that as of 2021, 7 percent, or 17.8 million adults, are Asian in the United States.
About 22 percent are Chinese, followed by Indians (20 percent), Filipinos (17 percent), Vietnamese (9 percent), Koreans (8 percent), and Japanese (6 percent). Mixed-race Asians account for 19 percent of the total Asian adult population.
“It’s human nature to take for granted what we have, so it may just take an immigrant who used to not have freedom to remind us how blessed we are,” Dr. Wang added.
From The Epoch Times