British documentarian recounts powerful moments filming in China

In 40 years of work, historian and documentarian Michael Wood has witnessed some astounding things. But it was his most recent project in China, The Story of China's Reform and Opening-up, where one of the most touching moments in his career occurred. Audiences agree, as viewer comments are rolling in from all corners of the country sharing the pride and joy they felt watching the film.

Wood has guided viewers through the stories of the Dark Ages, the Trojan War, India, William Shakespeare and many more, but it is China that has always held the most fascination for him. He spent years in China to make documentaries and has been called one of the best Western documentarians on the subject.

During an interview with China Daily, he said the most impressive memory from filming the documentary happened in an old rural house made of mud bricks in Xiaogang village.

"We talked to two of the farmers in Xiaogang who'd been young men there and gone through it (the reform and opening-up) all, sitting with them who looked back to their youth and told the story and it brought tears to their eyes," Wood recalled. "It was a very powerful moment in my 40 years of documentary making."

Check out this video to see the story behind The Story, as well as his passion for the country.