Documentary series casts glow on growing old

Films challenge perceived notions of what it means to age, exploring the difficulties with dignity, Wang Qian reports.

Age has no limit for people finding their passion, falling in love, realizing their dreams or thriving like never before. This is the message a recently released documentary series has tried to convey about aging.

In the seven-episode documentary Qianlang (Preceding Wave), a 75-year-old man nicknamed A Bao and an 81-year-old woman nicknamed Lingling feel love has nothing to do with age; 96-year-old Xu Wei thinks taking his driver's license exam is the first step to taking his wife on a road trip; and in the eyes of Qin Xiuying, who is in her 70s, writing helps her uncover her true self.

Besides giving viewers a deeper appreciation of life, the series is also a thought-provoking exploration of the struggles and challenges that come with growing old, including elderly care, social isolation and Alzheimer's disease.

"As an inevitable part of life, aging is a multifaceted topic that everyone will face. While breaking common stereotypes about aging, the documentary tries to record real-life stories with nuance and joy," says Fan Shiguang, chief director of the production.