Promotional material for Zhou Enlai in His Childhood Photo: Courtesy of 1905 Pictures

The premiere of the film Zhou Enlai in His Childhood was held in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province on Tuesday to salute the first premier of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The first work of film or TV to depict Zhou's childhood, the film seeks to help audiences better understand the diligent side of Zhou in childhood and the impact the times can make on an individual's destiny.

Zhou's image in the film shows his ordinary and great life and study in his childhood. The premier's enthusiasm for reading and broad-mindedness since his childhood can be displayed through his relationship with three female elders and other aspects in his daily life.

The story unfolds with Zhou's great answer to a schoolmaster's question about the purpose of study, "I study for the rise of China." 

Witnessing the suffering of his peers in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Zhou made up his mind to build China into a strong and prosperous country.

Zhou was born in 1898 in Huai'an, another city in Jiangsu Province. Chen Zhichang, mayor of his hometown, attended the premiere and addressed the audience. 

"The film reproduces the history of Zhou growing up in Huai 'an from birth to the age of 12 and allows audiences to deeply feel the extraordinary growth of a great man during childhood. It is a textbook example of a red classic that can carry the spirit of Zhou forward, educate young people and guide Party members," Chen said.

The film will hit the big screen on June 1, International Children's Day. Xu Geng, art director for the movie, said that he hopes children can see a meaningful life through Zhou's childhood stories.