A Turn on the Red Carpet:
My Adventure at the Premiere of Ocean Heaven
Tian Huiping, Founder, Stars & Rain
I’m pleased to report that the Chinese film Ocean Heaven (海洋天堂) premiered in Beijing on June 14, 2010. The movie’s China premier took place two evenings earlier, on June 12, when it opened the Shanghai International Film Festival to positive reviews. The movie traces the story of a terminally ill father who struggles to find a safe place in the world for his 22-year-old autistic son. The boy’s mother died years earlier and the death of his father will leave him with no one to care for him. Written and directed by Xue Xiaolu, the movie is based in part on Xue’s observation of my long-term quest to help my autistic son Taotao and to raise China’s awareness about autism.
For me, the film’s Beijing premiere culminated years of work devoted to improving the lives of China’s autistic children and their parents. Although I arrived to the premiere too late to walk down the red carpet, I experienced magic, nonetheless.
“I did what I promised you,” said movie phenomenon Jet Li, who plays the father in Ocean Heaven. Li approached me that evening as if I were the star.
Li brought his two sweet young daughters to the event. I was touched to see how lovingly he was playing with them--how different he seemed from the Jet Li in kung-fu movies! “Didn’t I promise you when we first met that I’d help make autism an issue across China?” he asked, shaking my hand and smiling confidently.
He then turned to his daughters. “I want you to remember this lady. She is a real hero, because she has been fighting for a better world for children with autism.”
After the screening I was asked by journalists how to judge Li’s performance in the movie. He understands parents of children with autism, I said. He portrays so well the tough spirit that parents need to fight against hopeless circumstances. This kind of struggle is different than the combat he portrays in his other movies, but the fight for a good life for our children is every bit as hard as his kung-fu battles.
The role of the son, based on my son Taotao, is played by Wen Zhang, a hot young actor. He is good friends with Taotao, who smiles whenever I mention Wen Zhang. In the movie, the son doesn’t realize what’s happening to his father.
After watching the film, people in the audience who know Taotao were moved to tears by how well Wen Zhang brought him to the screen. When I got home that night I found an email from a friend in Germany who had just seen the movie trailer. “In some scenes it’s as if Taotao himself were on the screen—what a performance!” he wrote. When I conveyed these
compliments to Wen Zhang, he told me he is honored to call Taotao his friend. “He and I are the same age, and we will be friends my whole life.” As a mother just as distraught (as the father Jet Li plays) about what will happen to my son after I am gone one day, Wen’s response moved me to tears.
Though I may have missed a chance of a lifetime to walk the red carpet with writer-director Xue Xiaolu, thank goodness I didn’t miss the opportunity to meet her 16 years ago. Today Xue Xiaolu (I call her Lulu) is a recognized script writer in China. But when we first met she was a graduate student at the Beijing Film Academy Institute. She happened to read a magazine article about Stars & Rain and asked me if she could volunteer at the school. Lulu became one of our earliest volunteers. Since then we have become close friends, and Taotao now has a beautiful and loving Xue Ayi (Auntie Xue) in his life. It’s also a first for the young Lulu to be called Ayi!
I should disclose that I nearly missed the film’s Beijing premiere entirely. Although I’d been looking forward to the event for some time, that day I was suddenly struck by fatigue and sadness. In anticipation of the evening’s gathering, I had asked my staff to look after Taotao. Though he smiled at me before leaving the apartment, I felt broken. For 17 years I have been fighting for one thing--a world where he and others like him would not feel lonely without me (and their parents) one day. The opening of the film was a milestone, yet there I was sitting at home paralyzed, unable to collect myself.
Finally, I put on the dress I’d bought for the occasion, applied make up for the first time in my life, and left. In the end, maybe my arriving there too late to walk the red carpet was punishment for trying to look like a movie star instead of my everyday self. In fact, I am the ordinary mother of an autistic boy who just wants the people she loves to live healthy lives of dignity.
After learning about the movie, parents across China have asked me to tell Xue Xiaolu how much they appreciate her for making a movie about families with autistic children.
Many, many thanks to all of you who have helped Stars & Rain make a better world where people with autism and disabilities are loved and accepted!
Tian Huiping (Hope Tian), Founder, Stars & Rain
June 15, 2010
Pic 1. Jet Li: ?I did, waht I promised to you. Is it, that autism is an issue
now across China?“ I said: “I come to express thanks for your
dedication and contribution on behalf of parents in China.”
Pic 2.Wen Zhang: Taotao’s caring friend. His performance makes many
confused, who know me and Taotao: I even forgot that it was not Taotao
on the screen”.
Pic 3.The film is a gift to all parent in the world. I am with Jat Li, his two little daughters,
Xue Xiaolu and her daughter.
Pic4. & 5. I, Taotao, Lulu & our friends, in 1995.
Pic4. & 5. I, Taotao, Lulu & our friends, in 1995.Pic4. & 5. I, Taotao, Lulu & our friends, in 1995.
Dear Hope,
My heartiest congratulations! You make us proud. Thanks for continuing to be a moving force in China and around the world. You have transformed a generation of children and their families. I'm proud to be working with you.
Jim (USA)
My dear Tian Huiping, these are great news ! I feel really glad of what's happening to Xing xing yu and to you. Congratulations, this is a blessing for what you did, for what was done. Let me know what follows...
Warmly
Philippe (France)
Dear Hope,
I hope you were able to find the energy to go to the premiere. It is such a thrilling occasion and so meaningful because yours and Taotao's lives inspired the story. I am so happy that Jet Li made the movie. With his reputation and charisma the movie will do much to educate Chinese about autism, and build more tolerance and opportunities for autistic children.
All best wishes,
Marjorie (USA)
Dear Tian,
I was also bursting in tears when reading your moving story, but - first of all - I am only proud to got the chance to got to know to you, to know your son and to learn what you have done in order to give him and so many more autistic people a life in dignity.
You really deserve the red carpet, and please, be brave and walk it, because you empower so many others who still might feel lost and helpless.
I hope to get the chance to watch the movie.
Your friend of the bottom of my heart, Dorit (German in Vietnam)
Hope I am so proud and excited for you! You are so deserving! Congrats! Miss you!
Cara (USA)
Hi Hope,
This is most EXCELLENT news!!!! I am so happy for you, and so proud of you. You will help shape a new world view for modern China, one that views disabilities not as shameful, but as valuable. You will help China understand that Autism is not a curse, but an opportunity. Congratulations on this very important day for you, and for China, and for children with autism.
You are awesome. I am so very proud to call you my friend.
Big hugs and lots of love to you and TaoTao, from Barb, Chris, Jack, Laura, & Sarah. (USA)
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