Synopsis: Having been released after serving his sentence, a funeral director accidentally crosses paths with a girl, which brings about an unexpected change in his attitude towards life.
Writers: Jiangjiang Liu, Min Yu
Stars: Yilong Zhu, Enyou Yang, Ge Wang
Lighting up the Stars (2022), directed by Xue Xiaolu, is a heartwarming and unexpectedly touching Chinese film about life, death, and the bonds that form in the most unlikely of circumstances.
The film tells the story of Mo Sanmei, a mortician who crosses paths with orphan Wu Xiaowen shortly after his release from prison. What begins as an uneasy, reluctant relationship blossoms into a deeply emotional father-daughter dynamic, offering a fresh, humorous perspective on the Chinese cultural approach to death.
At its core, the film is a poignant exploration of how individuals cope with loss, grief, and the complexities of life’s finality. Mo’s work as a mortician brings him into close contact with death daily, but it is his evolving connection with Xiaowen that forces him to reassess his perspective. Their quirky, mismatched bond is a source of both humour and warmth, lightening the film’s otherwise heavy themes.
The film’s strength is its ability to balance the themes of mortality with humour and tenderness, a quality not often explored in films that deal with death. Xiaowen’s mischievous nature and Mo’s gruff exterior make for a compelling dynamic, and the film does a great job of showing how love and care can bloom even in the darkest of times. The performances from the leads are superb, especially from the actor playing Mo, who brings both gravitas and charm to a character that could easily be one-dimensional in less capable hands.
While the film’s premise might initially seem heavy, Lighting up the Stars ultimately offers a message of hope, resilience, and the power of human connection. It’s an exploration of the light that can shine even in life’s darkest moments, and it will leave viewers reflecting on their own relationships and how they approach life’s inevitable end. A beautifully crafted film with both heart and humour, Lighting up the Stars is an emotionally rewarding watch.
Watch the movie trailer:
