Opening up the world of movies to blind people

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Have you ever wondered if blind people can also enjoy movies?

The answer is yes. Thanks to the theatre commentators like Wu Rina, blind people are able to go to theatres just like anyone else and enjoy the latest blockbusters.

Wu Rina (R) at a screening session. /Sina Photo

Wu is one of three full-time theatre commentators at the China Braille Library located in Beijing, a library offering culture-related services for the blind.

Having worked as a theatre commentator for six years, which is explain the visual components of a movie to the blind audience once a week, Wu is now an expert after interpreting over 200 movies.

“What I do is express the scenes and the thoughts of the characters in an easy language for the blind audience to appreciate and understand a movie through imagination,” said Wu. “Before the movie screening, we will watch the movie a dozen times and record the exact time of each scene and character, so that the story can be better told.”

Wu Rina prepares for a screening session. /Sina Photo

Ahead of the actual screening, she also runs a test. "We will invite some blind people and staff here first, only to ensure that there won’t be any problem.”

However, challenges remain.

Although the descriptive video service has a history in China dating back 12 years, there is little information in this field, nor is there any international or domestically recognized standard. Moreover, such kinds of services haven’t reached China's rural communities.

“Most of those who enjoy the service are in living in the cities and not the vast rural areas,” said He Chuan, a director at the library. “In the future, we will continue to extend our service through the Internet platform. However, due to copyright and other restrictions, it has not yet entered the actual stage of operation. The movies we played were primarily licensed by their investors.”

But Wu loves her job and wants to do more for the group.

The audience at a screening session. /Sina Photo

“When I hear them clapping after each movie, I feel very happy and meaningful. And I will continue to do it,” said Wu. “Nowadays, more and more young people want to join and serve the blind. And my colleagues and I will carry out volunteer training. Hopefully more movie theatres will be opened in the future.”