A movie on the head of a militia post on a tiny remote island in the China’s Yellow Sea is scheduled to premiere on June 18. The movie is adapted from the touching story of Wang Jicai, who was honored both as a National Outstanding CPC Member and National Role Model of the Times, after his death in 2018.
An Island Sentry, as the movie is called, is shot by Bayi Film Studio and Jiangsu Omnijoi Pictures Co., Ltd.
Directed by Chen Li and starring Liu Ye and Gong Zhe, the movie tells of the Wang Jicai and his wife Wang Shihua.
Wang Jicai, former head of the militia post on Kaishan Island in east China's Jiangsu Province, died of sudden illness when on duty on July 27, 2018 after spending 32 years guarding an island post, assisted by his wife Wang Shihua.
Government officials and military officers pressed the button to light up the auditorium that will see the premiere of the movie on June 18.
In 1986, then a 26-year-old militia member, Wang Jicai took up the lonely sentry job of guarding the tiny Kaishan Island the size of two football pitches, off the coast of Jiangsu province. At that time, his only human companion was his wife. For 32 years, Wang Jicai resolutely stuck to his post without complaint, raising the Chinese national flag on the island, noting down details of passing ships, rescuing fishermen or people who strayed into the treacherous waters and helping catch smugglers. Wang died in an accident in August 2018 and was honored by the CPC Central Committee as a national role model for his lifelong dedication and patriotism.
In August 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for efforts in promoting the patriotism and dedication demonstrated by Wang Jicai.
Guarding an island is an ordinary job, but 32 years of persistence allows us to see the greatness from the ordinariness and feel the spiritual power, said Xi.
