Life and legacy: Filming of documentary on TCM master Deng Tietao begins

Filming for a documentary marking the 110th anniversary of traditional Chinese medicine master Deng Tietao's birth recently began in Guangzhou. As a flagship project to promote Guangdong Province's TCM culture during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the film is scheduled for release later this year.

Titled "The Soul Character of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Deng Tietao," the film focuses on his doctrines like the "interrelationship of the five viscera" and his defense of TCM's scientific nature and independence amid globalization, according to director Chen Zhuo.

Zhu Qinxiao serves as the executive producer of the film, which chronicles Deng's remarkable life, a microcosm of the century-long journey of TCM from the brink of decline to revival.

"Master Deng was a humble and refined individual. Despite being a renowned national TCM master, he was extremely approachable to both patients and ordinary people. I remember him speaking in a very easy-going manner. He had excellent calligraphy skills and enjoyed practicing the Ba Duan Jin exercise," Zhu recalled. "Conversing with him, he could offer a wealth of life experiences, wisdom, and inspiration."

Deng Tietao was a well-known traditional Chinese medicine expert, master clinician, educator and scientist long considered a standard-bearer in the modern revival of TCM. In clinical practice, Deng focused on using the strengths of traditional Chinese medicine to treat diseases like myasthenia gravis, or chronic disorder of the muscles.