Poetic soul of a nation

"The documentary recognizes a wider acceptance of ancient Chinese literature in the world, and reflects a stronger willingness to communicate between different cultures," says Zhang Tongdao, director of the Documentary Center at Beijing Normal University.

In his interview with Xinhua News Agency earlier this month, Wood said that this documentary was broadcast "just in time" to give Western audiences a new perspective of China and to understand the Chinese ideal.

He received much positive feedback after the film, and there were also viewers asking him where they could find English translations of Du Fu's poetry for sale.

Wood was pleased that his team's effort intrigued the British public during the coronavirus lockdown, and he said the film has had a real impact in helping people from different cultures to understand each other. This is what propelled him to start on the project in the first place.

Wood was also quoted by Beijing News as saying that many British viewers felt that the film reflects our common humanity. He said that after making this film, he admired Du Fu even more.