The legal drama "Heart's Motive," starring and produced by renowned Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, explores a heart-wrenching yet thrilling story about an unconventional love between outcasts. The film hit the theaters on Friday.

The cast and crew of "Heart's Motive" pose for a photo at the film's premiere in Beijing, Aug. 21, 2023.[Photo courtesy of Maxtimes Culture]

The film revolves around the journey of lawyer Ding Yifeng (played by Huang), who was ousted from his profession for exposing the unethical practices of his former law firm. He goes into hiding, but returns to work for a new firm, where he pulls off a stunning victory in a hopeless case, earning him fame and fortune. As the case's complexities unfold, Ding finds himself faced with a dilemma: fame or justice. The film also delves into a mother's desperate love and the life-or-death struggles of the poor and the oppressed in a plot full of twists and turns.

At the Beijing premiere of the movie on Aug. 21, Huang shared his thoughts on the script. Huang said, "First and foremost, I was deeply intrigued by the script. The portrayal of the mother-son bond was truly impactful to me. I think that such relationships and families are real and relatable. The idea of an instinctive and unconditional love that transcends everything is incredibly moving."

Through his portrayal of the lawyer character, Huang emphasizes his understanding of conscience. The character starts off as a bit sly to win the case, but he eventually follows his true self. "What struck me the most about this character was his authenticity," Huang said. "While he briefly considered prioritizing self-interest, when confronted with the truth, he decides to embrace his genuine self. I believe that life is not simply black and white, but rather a series of choices. Upholding genuine sincerity and conscience is indeed a challenging endeavor."

"Heart's Motive" is a legal drama, a genre rarely explored in China, presenting stories that take place inside the courtroom. It also stands out for depicting the perspective of a female criminal. Yan Ni, who plays the lead character, Jin Ximei, acknowledged the subtleties in her character's approach to child-rearing. She stated, "Emotions in her life are incredibly intricate, and often, the most fragile aspects can inflict the deepest wounds. As a mother, I believe she is capable of sacrificing everything for the well-being of her child."

Director Li Taige also explained his vision for the film. He said, "Through this form of storytelling, I want to show the character' inner quality. To achieve this, the plot incorporates diverse narrative perspectives and viewpoints to connect the dots for the audience. Each person looks at the same thing from their own stance and angle, resulting in different conclusions. Therefore, 'Heart's Motive' is not merely a crime suspense story; it delves into how we can uphold our moral values as human beings. I think it's very meaningful."

"Heart's Motive" is also unique for featuring the last performance of the respected late actor Tumen, with celebrities paying tribute to him at the premiere. 

The newly released film joined the last lap of China's summer film season race, which officially ends on Aug. 31. Box office revenue has reached a record high of over 19.4 billion yuan ($2.66 billion) so far. Veteran filmmaker Huang Jianxin, who was invited to the premiere of "Heart's Motive," said he has marveled at the renaissance of Chinese cinema after the COVID-19 pandemic. "This summer, Chinese cinema has shown a brand-new vitality. A group of young and middle-aged directors and filmmakers have taken the forefront, leading to significant changes in Chinese cinema. This is something that brings me great joy," he said.

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