Welcome news for the ears of China's visually impaired

Here's news the visually impaired Chinese will surely be happy to hear - the release of the country;s first audio film to be screened from April 23. The box office hit Examination 1977 will be screened for an audience of 158,000, with added narrative to describe non-auditory scenes for blind viewers.

The project was initiated by Jiang Hongyuan, a sightless former employee of the Shanghai Film Group. Working in collaboration with Shanghai Association for the Blind, the film is the first of a planned nine to be made this year, including Quill, Tokyo Trial and several animations for children.

Zhao Jihong, director of the Shanghai Association for the Blind, said of the project, "It allows blind people to better enjoy their lives. We added narrations in intervals among the original dialogues and edited the film as necessary, so blind people can track the storyline's development and get a sense of atmosphere."

Previously, blind people have had to rely on live narrations, which can be jumbled and difficult. Audio films remove that problem and create a more consistent and enhanced experience. Subtitles are also used to make the movies accessible for the hearing impaired.

In addition to the free public showing of Examination 1977, copies will be available at community libraries, where they will be available for free viewing. The visually impaired can also take advantage of a free delivery service to enjoy the new experience at home.

We're glad that those who can't watch movies now have a chance to still enjoy them.