Introduction
I was interested in watching this movie because it focuses on ex-convicts and their re-entry into society. Movies (and dramas) like this are rare, possibly because the social stigma and public perception might lead to a reluctance to explore ex-convict narratives.
My article title is derived from the native title Xiang Yang: Hua, which translates to sunflower. Sunflower Performance Team is the name of the prison theatre troupe that bonds through performance. The ex-convicts also formed the Sunflower message group. The heliotropic nature of young sunflowers, which physically turn to follow the sun’s movement across the sky, symbolizes seeking light, hope, and aligning with positive energy. Sunflowers in this movie likely represent the pursuit of a better future and a connection to something positive and uplifting.
Movie Info
Movie title: We Girls (Native title: 向阳·花 )
Alternative title: Xiang Yang: Hua
Genres: Crime, Drama
Release Date: Apr 4, 2025
Duration: 2 hr. 4 min
Director: Feng Xiao Gang ( 冯小刚 )
Screenwriters: Feng Xiao Gang ( 冯小刚 ) and Chong An ( 虫安 )
Trailer:
According to Sina, the movie was produced on a modest budget of 15 million yuan. Zhao Li Ying reportedly declined an actor’s fee and instead invested her earnings into the production, also serving as a producer, signaling just how much faith she placed in the project (Source: Kbzoom).
Synopsis
How can a female prisoner survive after serving her sentence?
In order to buy a cochlear implant worth 200,000 yuan for her daughter, Gao Yue Xiang took a risk and was sentenced to prison. However, she met Hei Mei, Deng Hong, Hu Ping, and Guo Ai Me because of this experience. Although they have different personalities, they all have the attitude of “fighting life head-on”. They are unwilling to admit defeat and do not accept their fate. They support each other all the way in the face of the challenges of fate and live towards the sun.
Source: MyDramaList
Characters
Main Characters
Zhao Li Ying ( 赵丽颖 ) as Gao Yue Xiang
Having a kind heart does not mean being easily bullied; instead, it means having sharp edges and angles, possessing attitude and intensity, and daring to confront life head-on. Every choice she makes is filled with decisive “no self-sabotage”—the shackles of her original family, the mistakes of marriage, the blow of imprisonment, and the hardships after being released have never caused her to sink. Instead, she tears open the cracks of adversity with her actions, supports each other with her sisters, and blooms the most beautiful wildflower.
Supporting Characters
Hei Mei / Mao A Mei (Lan Xi Ya)
Hei Mei was raised by the leader of a theft gang, “Old Man.” After being released from prison, she initially managed to escape but was eventually discovered and had to return to the gang’s hideout. To save Hei Mei, the chivalrous Gao Yue Xiang bravely ventured into the thieves’ den.
Deng Hong (Chuo Ni)
As the prison warden, she is very concerned about Gao Yue Xiang and Hei Mei, who are serving their sentences in the prison. She treats every female inmate with sincerity, earning her a reputation as a respected warden in the women’s prison.
Hu Ping (Naomi Wang)
A girl from a poor background, her original family was involved in drug-related activities. After being imprisoned, she became the boss in the prison.
Guo Ai Mei (Cheng Xiao)
A girl who illegally sold protected animals on the Internet, and got one-year sentence.
Review
Story and Plot
Strengths:
- The movie focuses on female empowerment and support, as they help each other navigate challenges and thrive in difficult circumstance.
- The movie showcases the marginalized lives of ex-convicts due to the enduring stigma of their criminal records. The characters encounter systemic barriers that hinder their ability to successfully reintegrate into society and lead fulfilling lives.
Weakness:
The movie paints China’s prison system and its correctional officers as safe, efficient, and compassionate, a somewhat sanitized version of life behind bars. For example, Deng Hong is portrayed as a very nice correctional officer and goes the extra mile for the inmates. It is said that Warden Deng was saved by an inmate before. But still, treating the whole cells with extra food during her birthday and eating together with them is somewhat unrealistic.
Themes
Female Solidarity and Self-Reliance: The film highlights the strong bonds and mutual support between the female characters as they navigate life’s challenges. They rely on each other to overcome adversity and work towards a better future.
Reintegration and Social Challenges: The plot explores the difficulties faced by ex-convicts as they attempt to re-enter society, including finding work and overcoming stigma. For instance, Gao Yuexiang resorts to becoming a “cam girl” to earn money for her daughter’s cochlear implant, illustrating the desperate measures they may take.
Pacing and Editing
The plot is fast-paced and emotionally engaging, with vivid prison scenes and a mix of dramatic and humorous moments. The prison time is only depicted in around a quarter of the movie. The rest is about their life after being released.
The film’s editing contributes to a fast pace, immersing viewers in the film’s social context and conveying its themes effectively.
Characterization and Acting
Although of short duration, the movie mostly follows the journeys of Gao Yue Xiang and Hei Mei, and shows their personal growth and transformations as they face obstacles and work towards self-salvation.
Unique to this movie is a deaf-mute character of Hei Mei, who is supervised by Gao Yue Xiang, who understands sign language, due to the latter’s also having a deaf-mute daughter.
Unfortunately, we don’t see the in-depth backgrounds of the other characters.
Acting-wise, Zhao Li Ying and Lan Xi Ya’s excellent performances showed emotional depth and character development.
Cinematography and Visual Effects
The visual effects implemented a “rough and ready aesthetic” style that is unrefined and practical, particularly in the prison scenes. This realism is contrasted by flashbacks of their criminal life, with the allure of quick money and its negative consequences, creating a visual contrast that highlights the movie’s themes.
Original Soundtrack
The OST is 野子 (Ye Zi), which translates to “Wild Child”, written and sung by Sun Yun Ying ( 苏运莹 ). The message is as long as one is determined enough, no adversity is insurmountable. The songwriter believes that a person cannot survive on just one cell; many emotions exist within the body, and “Wild” is one of them. She wants to convey the feeling of “don’t be afraid.”
Conclusion
Overall, the movie focuses on the challenges faced by women who have served time in prison, highlighting themes of female resilience, solidarity, and overcoming adversity. I recommend this movie if you like second chances in life and the power of women to support each other in the face of immense challenges.
Different from the featured image, the poster below shows a more cheerful and optimistic portrayal of the five characters, which represent the promising ending of their life journey.
