Synopsis
Chen Nian, a high school senior, suffers from school bullying, and her fate becomes intertwined with Xiao Bei, a boy from the bottom rung of society. On the eve of the college entrance examination, the two protect each other and face the pain of school violence and the price of growing up together.
Overview
"Better Days" is a 2019 Chinese youth campus-themed film directed by Derek Tsang, adapted from Jiu Yuexi's novel "In His Youth, In Her Beauty." The film stars Zhou Dongyu and Yi Yangqianxi and was released in mainland China on October 25, 2019. It holds a Douban rating of 8.2, with its opening day box office exceeding 150 million yuan. Within 15 days of release, its box office surpassed 1.3 billion yuan, ultimately earning approximately 1.56 billion yuan. It was one of the biggest dark horses in the 2019 Chinese film market.
The film is most notable for its direct exploration of the issue of school bullying in China. In the history of Chinese cinema, commercial blockbusters with school bullying as a core theme are extremely rare. The film shifted the youth genre from traditional sweet reminiscences to heavier and more realistic social issues, sparking widespread social discussion.
Plot
Chen Nian (Zhou Dongyu) is an introverted high school senior with excellent grades, determined to escape her current life through the college entrance exam. However, the suicide of her classmate Hu Xiaodie (Zhang Yifan), who jumps from a building, shatters the school's peace. Hu Xiaodie had long been subjected to bullying led by Wei Lai (Zhou Ye) and ultimately chose to end her life under the unbearable pressure.
After Hu Xiaodie's death, Chen Nian, having witnessed the truth, becomes the new target of bullying. She is pushed down stairs, splashed with ink, has her hair cut, and is beaten in a locked bathroom. After enduring various humiliations and pain, Chen Nian meets Xiao Bei (Yi Yangqianxi), a boy from the bottom rungs of society, by chance.
Xiao Bei is a street kid with no parental guidance who makes a living through fighting, but he possesses a soft and kind heart. When he sees Chen Nian's miserable state after being bullied, he decides to protect her. From then on, Xiao Bei escorts Chen Nian to and from school every day, and a deep emotional bond forms between them.
As the college entrance exam approaches and the bullying escalates, Chen Nian accidentally kills Wei Lai during a conflict. To prevent Chen Nian's future from being ruined, Xiao Bei decides to take the blame for her, confessing to the police that he is the murderer. However, detective Zheng Yi (Yin Fang) discovers during the investigation that the truth is far more complex than it appears on the surface, and he tries to get Chen Nian and Xiao Bei to face reality bravely.
Main Cast
| Actor | Role | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zhou Dongyu | Chen Nian | High school senior, excellent grades but introverted, suffers from school bullying |
| Yi Yangqianxi | Xiao Bei | Boy from the bottom of society, rough exterior but gentle inside |
| Zhou Ye | Wei Lai | Bully, from a privileged family, seemingly excellent but dark-hearted |
| Yin Fang | Zheng Yi | Detective, persistently pursues the truth |
| Wu Yue | Chen Nian's Mother | Single mother, makes a living selling face masks |
| Huang Jue | Officer Lao Yang | Experienced detective |
Box Office and Reception
The box office performance of "Better Days" far exceeded expectations:
| Milestone | Data |
|---|---|
| Opening Day Box Office | Over 150 million yuan |
| 5 Days After Release | Surpassed 700 million yuan |
| 15 Days After Release | Exceeded 1.3 billion yuan |
| Final Box Office | Approximately 1.56 billion yuan |
The film sparked significant social resonance after its release. Zhou Dongyu's performance was delicate and moving, vividly portraying Chen Nian's inner fear, resilience, and hope. Yi Yangqianxi, a young actor who debuted in an idol group, surprised everyone with his performance in the film and was hailed as the biggest surprise in Chinese cinema that year.
The Douban rating started as high as 8.7 and later stabilized at 8.2, with over a million viewers participating in the rating. The film not only received acclaim domestically but also gained recognition at international film festivals, being shortlisted for the 93rd Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
Behind the Scenes
Director Derek Tsang, previously known for "Soulmate," is skilled at telling youth stories with delicate emotional portrayals and authentic character development. "Better Days" is another masterpiece following "Soulmate."
During filming, the performances of Zhou Dongyu and Yi Yangqianxi were highly convincing. To better portray Chen Nian, Zhou Dongyu lost over ten pounds to better fit the character's frail image. Yi Yangqianxi, through extensive training and character preparation, portrayed the roughness and inner softness of a street kid with distinct layers.
Cultural Impact
The success of "Better Days" lies in the fact that it is not just a film but also a starting point for social discussion. After the film's release, the issue of school bullying became a hot topic of public debate, and the Ministry of Education and relevant departments strengthened their focus on campus safety and policy measures.
The film won multiple awards at the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress. Zhou Dongyu won the Best Actress award at the 35th Hundred Flowers Awards for this film, and Yi Yangqianxi also received a nomination for Best New Performer.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/30166972/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B0%91%E5%B9%B4%E7%9A%84%E4%BD%A0
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/%E5%B0%91%E5%B9%B4%E7%9A%84%E4%BD%A0
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