Synopsis
After being released from prison, funeral director Mo Sanmei encounters the orphan Wu Xiaowen during a funeral procession. The unexpected appearance of this little girl completely transforms his attitude toward his profession and life, setting off a story about life, death, and warmth.
Overview
Lighting Up the Stars is a 2022 Chinese drama film directed and written by Liu Jiangjiang (his directorial debut), produced by Han Yan, starring Zhu Yilong, with a special introduction of child actress Yang Enyou. The film, set in the rarely depicted funeral industry, tells a warm story about life and death, family, and redemption. It ultimately grossed approximately 1.312 billion RMB at the box office, making it one of the best-performing domestic films in Chinese theaters in 2022, with a Douban rating of 7.4.
The film's greatest highlight is its unique choice of subject matter. The funeral industry is a taboo topic in Chinese culture, yet the film portrays the humanity within this profession and the meaning of life with warmth and humor. Director Liu Jiangjiang made a remarkable debut with this film, rising from an unknown newcomer to a highly regarded new-generation director.
Plot
After being released from prison, Mo Sanmei (Zhu Yilong) inherits his father's funeral home and becomes a reluctant funeral director on the streets of Wuhan. Living in poverty and with a broken heart, he is filled with weariness and resistance towards this inherited profession. During a funeral service, he encounters a little girl, Wu Xiaowen (Yang Enyou)—an orphan who has just lost her grandmother.
Stubborn and innocent, Xiaowen refuses to believe her grandmother is gone, insisting she has turned into a star in the sky. This quirky little girl barges into Sanmei's chaotic life like a little "Nezha." Initially, Sanmei finds her annoying, but as they spend more time together, a deep emotional bond forms between these two souls who have both lost their loved ones.
While caring for Xiaowen, Sanmei begins to re-evaluate his profession and life. A funeral director doesn't just handle death; they help the living say a proper goodbye. The film's classic line, "As long as you truly believe, you are someone who plants stars," captures its core theme—death is not the end; love and memory are eternal.
However, Xiaowen's uncle suddenly appears, wanting to take her back, forcing Sanmei to face the difficult choice of whether to let her go. At the same time, Sanmei must also deal with years of estrangement from his father and the impending demolition of the funeral home. Multiple conflicts intertwine, pushing the story towards a deeply moving climax.
Main Cast
| Actor | Role | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zhu Yilong | Mo Sanmei (Third Brother) | Funeral director, recently released from prison, rough exterior but soft-hearted |
| Yang Enyou | Wu Xiaowen | Orphan who lost her grandmother, quirky and spirited like a little Nezha |
| Wang Ge | Wang Jianren | Sanmei's friend and partner |
| Liu Lu | — | Important supporting role |
| Luo Jingmin | Old Mo | Sanmei's father, an older-generation funeral director |
| Wu Qian | — | Special appearance |
Box Office and Achievements
Lighting Up the Stars was released on June 24, 2022, and saw sustained success driven by word-of-mouth:
| Milestone | Data |
|---|---|
| Opening Day (including previews) | Surpassed 50 million |
| Opening Weekend Box Office | Over 250 million |
| Cumulative Box Office | Approximately 1.312 billion RMB |
The film is one of the most successful domestic dramas in Chinese theaters in 2022 and a landmark work in Zhu Yilong's transition to a serious actor. Zhu Yilong received multiple Best Actor nominations and awards at film festivals for his outstanding performance in this film.
Cultural Significance
The uniqueness of Lighting Up the Stars in Chinese film history lies in its being the first to bring the funeral industry as a main subject to the big screen, exploring themes of life and death with a warm, healing tone. In traditional Chinese culture, death and funerals are often avoided topics, but the film uses humor and warmth to dissolve the heaviness, allowing audiences to rethink the meaning of life amidst laughter and tears.
The film also showcases the unique urban culture and vibrant street life of Wuhan. The gritty, authentic texture of the city adds a rich layer of life to the story. The imagery of "star planters" has also become a warm symbol in Chinese popular culture in 2022.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/35460157/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%BA%BA%E7%94%9F%E5%A4%A7%E4%BA%8B
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/%E4%BA%BA%E7%94%9F%E5%A4%A7%E4%BA%8B_(%E7%94%B5%E5%BD%B1)
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