The Sun Rises on Us All, (Chinese title: Ri Gua Zhong Tian), offers a more nuanced interpretation of the story. The title comes from an ancient Cantonese opera and calls to mind themes of forgiveness and reconciliation after hardship. This ties closely to the plot, in which Meiyun (Xin Zhi-lei) and Baoshu (Zhang Song-wen), once lovers, struggle under the weight of sacrifice and guilt. Burdened by unresolved hatred and regret, they are left with emotional debts that seem impossible to repay.

From the title to the narrative, the film draws on traditional Chinese values, reflecting the strong connection within Chinese culture to boundless love and lasting resentment in romantic relationships. It is undeniable that director Cai Shang-jun is a true neo-noir master, with a sharp eye for the marginalised and their moral struggles.

In the East Asian context, pain is something we pursue by nature; in other words, masochism. This is why many Asian films depict relationships built upon torment, especially between protagonists whose hatred binds them more tightly than love ever could. In a society where open confrontation is discouraged, hostility takes the place of direct conversation, becoming a distorted form of intimacy. Beneath the hatred, there is regret, blame, guilt, and disappointment. They all come from love and expectations. When love is veiled, we begin to search for traces of care underneath hatred. We dissect anger and hostility, hoping to uncover even the smallest sign that one cares about us. It is in our upbringing that love and suppression are deeply intertwined. Affections often come with expectations, sacrifices, and unspoken tensions. Over time, this becomes a pattern, and when it repeats, it feels strangely familiar. We are naturally drawn to patterns we’ve known since childhood, even if they are toxic.

In the film, Meiyun wants to get rid of the guilt that has been choking her for years; however, when her relationship with Baoshu begins to ease, she is terrified. For all this time, she has been reminding herself of the sin she has to pay, which she clearly knows is something she can never afford to compensate for. Therefore, she lives in constant pain. In the dull life laden with infinite stress, she has to hold onto a goal to continue living. This guilt has become her only emotional defense against the emptiness around her. If Baoshu were to forgive her, she would lose the only motivation in life. That’s why, in the end, rather than begging for forgiveness, she chose to deepen the hatred. It could be interpreted as an extreme way to have Baoshu stay with her by compensating him with the rest of her life.

I was not fond of this film at first; however, as I reflected on it through the lens of the societal context of China, I started to appreciate the script. The narrative is so calm and unruffled, but the suffocating tension is overwhelming. It is an outstanding social-realist film that delves into the complexities of life in contemporary China, and the story could only happen there. It touches on the raw nature of Chinese people and the very domestic topic of live stream e-commerce, which is currently the most trendy form of business in China. Meiyun runs her own clothes shop, and unlike other successful live streamers, she struggles to make a living. Xin Zhi-lei’s performance is layered and grounded, and she brings her own unique aura that convinces the audience of her role. She is the undisputed winner of the Volpi Cup Best Actress award. Zhang Song-wen, too, delivered a strong performance, with a character that reflects countless Chinese men, though not everyone shares Baoshu’s level of devotion.

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Written by Jane Wei

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}