By Rong Cheng, Vision Times
In an age often defined by noise and division, it was a quiet moment in a darkened Liverpool cinema that stirred something profound. As the final scene of “New Silver Screen Dreams” faded into darkness, a rustle of tissues and muffled sniffles swept through the audience. It was a film without fireworks, yet it ignited something in everyone present: the gentle but unmistakable feeling of hope.
Premiering on 21 June at Liverpool’s Everyman Cinema, the film, brought over by Canadian-based New Century Films, struck an unexpected chord with audience members. It then travelled to Manchester the following afternoon, leaving another trail of quiet reflection in its wake.
But this was never just about a film. In Liverpool, it became a mirror reflecting the spirit of the community — a city with Europe’s oldest Chinese population, where stories still carry weight.
A chef’s dream: The man behind the door
At the centre of this local awakening stood someone unexpected — not a producer or a celebrity, but a chef. His name is Mr. Zuoqiang Tan, a humble man who works in a local Chinese restaurant and has called Liverpool home for many years.
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What he did was quietly extraordinary. “I’m just a chef. Nothing special,” he told the audience with a smile, his voice resonating with sincerity. Moved by the film’s message, Mr. Tan began inviting friends, neighbours, and colleagues to the premiere — dozens of whom filled the seats that evening.
“I witnessed small miracles,” he said. “People who never go to the cinema helped hand out flyers. Those uninterested in cultural events suddenly offered to help arrange venues and support. I believe a good film can bring people together.”
His words carried weight. Here was a man who had spent years behind kitchen doors, now standing centre stage not to promote himself, but to bring something meaningful to others. As he spoke, many in the audience realised this wasn’t just about art — it was about connection, and how ordinary people carry extraordinary potential.
The city responds: ‘A film for everyone’
Among the many dignitaries present was The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Barbara Murray, who was visibly moved. In a post-screening interview, she called the film “very refreshing… unlike a lot of movies we see these days.” She praised its “sensitive, kind” approach and its portrayal of a “wonderful” transformation sparked by moral courage.
Asked if the film’s core themes of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance resonated with her, she said without hesitation: “Absolutely. I’m very deeply interested in Buddhism and meditation. It showed that wonderful things can happen if you truly believe in something good.”
Her takeaway? “I would say you should go and see this. This is a film for everybody.”
Before departing, Councillor Murray approached the cast with a quiet request. Deeply moved by the story of the film’s protagonist, whose transformation began with a copy of Zhuan Falun, she asked for a copy of the book herself. Standing among the cast with a smile and the book in hand, she said: “I think it’s a beautiful story. I’m looking forward to reading it.”
The moment, captured in a group photo, felt emblematic of the evening itself: a gesture of curiosity, openness, and the quiet courage to explore something unfamiliar yet intensely human.
Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, echoed the sentiment. She described the film as “really, really good,” noting that its message of “compassion and hope” is vital in today’s fractured world. She singled out the main character, Lynn, who experiences a profound personal transformation.
“She became a very different person,” Johnson said. “And that’s what we need now, amidst geopolitics, war, and the rise of the far right. People need to absorb these messages.”
Also present was Councillor Sunil Chopra, former Mayor of Southwark in London, who had risen at 5 a.m. to attend the premiere. “I think it’s very touching,” he said, highlighting a scene where a husband lovingly helps his wife with her shoes. “It shows the importance of supporting your family and your community. It’s a good message, one that should be promoted more.”
Manchester’s thunderclap: A survivor speaks
In Manchester, the emotional current ran even deeper. After the film ended, Mr. Timothy Cho, a North Korean defector and parliamentary human rights advocate, stood up to speak. His voice was calm, but his story was harrowing—he described his imprisonment in both North Korea and China, including time in Shanghai’s International Prison.
“If I had been sent back to North Korea again, I would have been executed,” he said. Yet it was in prison that he discovered faith and, with it, a new sense of purpose.
While watching “New Silver Screen Dreams,” he was visibly affected. “This film is about love, hope, and humanity. It touched something deep inside me,” he said. “Particularly the part about forgiveness. It reminded me of my own journey from anger and hatred to learning how to forgive.”
Mr. Cho’s presence — and his willingness to bare his past — transformed the evening. His concluding words captured the mood: “This is what the world needs: hope, love, and how we look after each other.”
A story that belongs to the city
If the film struck such a chord, it’s partly because it arrived in a city ready to receive it. Liverpool is not just known for its beautiful architecture and legendary musical heritage; it’s also home to generations of Chinese Britons whose history dates back to the mid-19th century.
From early laundries and tea houses to today’s business leaders and community organisers, Liverpool’s Chinese community has quietly shaped the soul of the city. That journey is written not just in Chinatown’s ornate archway—the tallest in Europe—but in the multi-language street signs, the family-run shops, and the quiet resilience of generations.
As Councillor Nick Small noted, “Liverpool has Europe’s oldest Chinese community… We hope to promote more Chinese cultural exchange and understanding.” For him, the film exemplifies “the direction Liverpool wants to grow towards, a global city with inclusive storytelling at its heart.”
More than a film
“New Silver Screen Dreams” is not a blockbuster. It has no A-list actors or CGI spectacle. Yet its impact is undeniable. From a chef’s heartfelt invitation to a mayor’s quiet reflection, from a parliamentarian’s tears to a survivor’s testimony, it stitched together something rare: a shared space of humanity.
In the words of one audience member, quietly uttered as the lights came back on: “I didn’t just watch a film. I remembered something I’d forgotten. That people can still be kind.”
And maybe that’s the greatest dream of all.
For more information about New Century Films and “New Silver Screen Dreams,” including upcoming projects and other FAQs, please visit the official site here.
