The documentary "A Long Cherished Dream," directed by British two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Malcolm Clarke, premiered on Tuesday in Beijing.

Clarke set his sight on China in the four-part documentary and recorded the great changes the country has witnessed over the years toward a well-off society from the perspective of ordinary people.

Every protagonist in the film, including village Party secretary, truck driver, acrobat and private entrepreneur, were once poor, but they changed their lives with their own efforts and China's rapid economic take-off.

The rise of China is noteworthy but only a few filmmakers tell Chinese stories through Western perspectives, said Clarke, adding that it gives him an opportunity to explore something very unique and very significant historically.

The film will broadcast on CCTV Agricultural Rural Channel (CCTV-17) under China Media Group (CMG), Discovery Channel, Sky TV, and other Chinese and foreign mainstream media, as well as new media platforms starting July 15.