U.S. producer William Mundell answers questions after the screening of the documentary "Better Angels" in Washington D.C., the United States, on Dec. 11, 2018. The film "Better Angels," directed by award-winning director Malcolm Clarke and produced by U.S. producer William Mundell and award-winning Chinese producer Han Yi, was shown at the Chinese embassy on Tuesday night. It features stories of how ordinary Chinese and Americans benefit from a close China-U.S. relationship. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- A documentary portraying ordinary Chinese and American peoples' interactions was screened here on Tuesday, unraveling what its producer called "the untold story of the true potential of the U.S.-China relationship."
The film "Better Angels," directed by award-winning director Malcolm Clarke and produced by U.S. producer William Mundell and award-winning Chinese producer Han Yi, was shown at the Chinese embassy on Tuesday night. It features stories of how ordinary Chinese and Americans benefit from a close China-U.S. relationship.
"It is the story that the mainstream media has for the most part neglected," Mundell told the audience ahead of the screening.
"It's about the wider benefits of U.S.-China cooperation, it's about the dark side of globalization for the Chinese people, and it's about the common humanity that binds us together," the producer added.
The term "better angels" came from the inaugural address of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, who pleaded that divided northern and southern states should bond rather than split.
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection," Lincoln said at his inauguration on March 4, 1861.
The documentary "tells us that China-U.S. relations should be defined by the two peoples, their common interests and aspirations," said Minister of the Chinese Embassy to the United States Li Kexin at the film reception.
Li noted that the film addresses fundamental concerns, such as the simple, daily needs of the peoples of China and the United States.
"The people of both countries pursue better-off lives, a safer and more stable environment, and more decent education for their children," he said.
"It is through these common wishes that one can see that there are not so many differences between China and the United States, and that what is needed is a better understanding and the willingness to support each other," the senior Chinese diplomat added.
After watching the 90-minute film, Lawrence Smerin, the owner of a U.S. consultant company, said it was "well-conceived" and "very moving," giving Western viewers a chance to better understand the Chinese people.
"Take it (the film) to the country," Smerin told Xinhua. "There is still Kansas, there is still Oklahoma, reach out to them. You will find them very receptive but they don't get this kind of information."
"There is always a lot of misunderstanding" between China and the United States, R.B. Shrestha, the head of a U.S. logistics company, told Xinhua.
The film just showed us that there could be collaboration between the two peoples, the middle-aged businessman added.
"By looking through the lens of ordinary Americans and ordinary Chinese, who are looking to bridge the physical and metaphysical distance that divides us, this film, I hope, will make a major down payment on shattering the myth that America has about China and China has about America," Mundell said.
Around 200 people attended the film reception at the embassy.
The film will hit the big screens in China and the United States in January 2019.
