Breakthrough in cinema for the visually impaired

After Di Xuehui lost her sight at the age of 8, her passion for movies almost totally disappeared.

"I have always wished that cinemas could be accessible for people like me," said the 29-year-old Shanghai native, who works as a volunteer at Be Your Eyes, a nongovernmental welfare organization.

Her wish came true recently thanks to a project launched by the Shanghai Film Distribution and Projection Industry Association, which enables people with visual impairment to attend 50 cinemas across Shanghai.

Fitted with special equipment, the Red Star Cinema became the city's first film venue to allow visually impaired people to share the theater with others.

Wireless earphones, donated by the Shanghai Film Technology Factory and the Shanghai Charity Foundation, play descriptions of what's happening on the screen.

Before the introduction of such equipment, special movie events had to be held at which commentators would describe the scenes to the visually impaired, said Wu Qiuzhen, deputy chairman of the foundation.

In the future, film companies will have to include a third soundtrack that describes the content of the movie for visually impaired people.

On Jan 6, Lost in Russia directed by director-actor Xu Zheng became the country's first commercial movie to include such a soundtrack. The movie will make its national debut on Jan 25, the first day of the Chinese New Year.

"We spent one month doing postproduction to add the soundtrack. We believe that they (visually impaired people) will have a good impression when they go to the cinema with other people on the first day of the New Year," Xu said.

Wu said the project, which is set to include more cinemas and films, will also be extended to major cities in the Yangtze River Delta through the Yangtze River Delta Film Distribution and the Projection Industry Association.

"We're not only able to meet the visually impaired people's demands for watching movies but also show respect for them. We hope that they attend the cinema with other people and with dignity," Wu said.

Di said she was looking forward to Chinese New Year.

"It has been years since I could enjoy a movie by myself. I can't wait," she said.