BEIJING:China premiered a patriotic documentary film on Friday to mark the one-year anniversary of Wuhan's coronavirus lockdown, part of a broader effort by authorities to cast the government's early response to COVID-19 in a positive light.
Small numbers of viewers gathered in Beijing to watch the film "Wuhan Days and Nights" as it opened to the public exactly a year after Wuhan went into a surprise 76-day lockdown in the early hours of Jan. 23, 2020.
Wuhan, in the central province of Hubei, is believed to be the epicentre of the global pandemic that has infected nearly 100 million people and killed over two million so far.
China managed to quash the virus months later with strict control measures and life in Wuhan has largely returned to normal, but the government's early response drew widespread public criticism.
The documentary, a co-production between state media and the Hubei Propaganda Department, was released in theatres nationwide and features tearful scenes inside Wuhan's hospitals, including medical staff tending to patients and shots of empty streets.
"It is using life to record life, and create a heroic hymn of the people," said a state media article posted on the Wuhan government website following an early viewing for medical workers in the city Wuhan.
State media have described the film as the first major documentary on China's outbreak.
"YEAR OF STRUGGLE"
Dozens of laudatory documentaries have been released by local propaganda authorities and government-backed media on China's COVID-19 outbreak, evoking wartime analogies to describe the actions of medical workers and policymakers, including President Xi Jinping.
The film's release comes as China battles a fresh wave of infections after months of apparent success in containing the virus. Authorities are discouraging travel during next month's Lunar New Year holiday and have imposed lockdowns on some cities, in an eerie repeat of last year.
"I wanted to learn how China got through the hardship," said a woman surnamed Li, 32, who was one of the first people to see the film in Beijing. "We've been through a year of struggle and hard work, and now there are new cases in many places."
Beijing has also sought to control the narrative around the outbreak by silencing critics.
There was an outpouring of public grief and anger in February 2020 following the COVID-19-linked death of a Chinese doctor who had been reprimanded for issuing an early warning about the disease.
In December, a Chinese court jailed citizen journalist Zhang Zhan for four years for sharing her own series of first-hand accounts from Wuhan's streets and hospitals.
Wuhan has officially recorded 46,483 cases of the disease and 3,869 deaths.
Reuters
Sat Jan 23 2021
A woman watches the Chinese documentary "Days and Nights in Wuhan" following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a cinema in Beijing, China, Jan 22, 2021. REUTERSpic
China's PCT international patent applications top world for 5 consecutive years: WIPO chief
China has become the country with the most international patent applications, according to AIPPI President Shoichi Okuyama.
Charles Leclerc wins US Grand Prix; Max Verstappen 3rd after Norris penalty
Charles Leclerc also won the Monaco Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix this year and sits third in the driver standings.
Australia's Qantas told to pay $114,000 to 3 sacked workers in landmark outsourcing case
Qantas claims the sackings were warranted as a cost-cutting measure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After Sinwar's death, Israel aims to lock in strategic gains before US election
Israeli leaders are seeking to reshape regional landscape in Israel's favour and shield its borders from any future attacks, sources said.
Netanyahu told Trump Israel will make decisions based on its interests, PM's office says
Israel is pondering its military reaction to recent Iranian missile strikes.
Ringgit extends positive momentum to open higher against US dollar
The ringgit traded higher against the US Dollar in today's early session, driven by continued buying interest towards the local currency.
BHP faces $47 billion UK lawsuit over Brazilian dam collapse
More than 600,000 Brazilians, 46 local governments, and around 2,000 businesses are suing BHP over the collapse of the dam.
Trump hands out french fries in Pennsylvania, Harris visits Georgia churches
Both candidates were scrambling for votes in the most competitive states.
Brazil's Lula cancels BRICS trip after minor brain hemorrhage from fall
Lula "was advised to avoid long-distance air travel but is otherwise able to carry out his regular duties."
Lebanese flee as blasts hit Beirut, Israel warns of strikes on Hezbollah finance arm
On Sunday Israel said it hit Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters and an underground weapons workshop in Beirut.
87 people killed or missing in northern Gaza's Beit Lahiya, health ministry says
A total of 87 people were killed or missing under the rubble after an Israeli attack on Saturday on northern Gaza's town of Beit Lahiya.
Hundreds of colonists storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy Israeli protection
Hundreds of Israeli colonists stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday morning during the fourth day of the Jewish Sukkot festival.
ANALYSIS - What could happen if Trump rejects the US election results
If Trump seems to be losing, the delay could let him claim fraud and undermine confidence in election officials.
Motorcycling - Marquez wins Australian MotoGP after intense battle with Martin
The 31-year-old, third in the championship standings, has now won the Australian MotoGP four times in the premier class.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.