Zhang Guoli, a renowned Chinese actor and director, has created a groundbreaking drama that focuses on the lives of two convicted murderers who get married, with the bride harboring shocking secrets from her past.

The cast and crew pose for a group photo at the premiere of "Strangers When We Meet," in Beijing, May 13, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Bravo Entertainment]

"Strangers When We Meet," based on the creative nonfiction story "The Murderous Girl in a Wedding Dress," stars veteran actor Fan Wei and actress Zhou Dongyu. Notably, Fan's masterful performance in the movie earned him the Tiantan Award for best actor at the 14th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) in late April.

The compelling and heartrending film follows a man released from prison after 27 years who, left with no family but a significant sum from demolition compensation, seeks a partner among recently released female prisoners. He meets a young woman with a secret agenda, who desires marriage and his money but refuses to bear children due to her belief that those with a criminal past don't deserve descendants. As secrets emerge, inevitable conflicts arise. Both face agonizing decisions repeatedly as they seek redemption: he chooses life, sacrificing everything for a hint of warmth, while she gravitates towards death.

Director Zhang strives to balance authenticity and dramatic effect in the film, and the story of the two released prisoners is a perfect combination of these elements. The film, adapted from a real-life story, features characters and a plot that exhibit extreme dramatic intensity while being based on real-life figures.

At the premiere held in Beijing on Monday, Zhang addressed the audience after the advanced screening, saying: "I was drawn to this project by the shocking title 'The Murderous Girl in a Wedding Dress,' but upon deeper investigation, I found the story to be much more vivid and profound than its title suggests. It has strong narrative and conflict elements, where the one who wants to die cannot, and the one who wants to live lives poorly. This is a significant part of the story."

At the premiere, Fan Wei shared his interpretation of his character's obsession with having children, explaining, "After being released, the filial man became obsessed with doing something for his late parents. In our culture, the greatest act of unfilial piety is to die without descendants. To make up for his filial duties, he is determined to find a wife to continue the family line." However, he emphasized that the character's traditional views might clash with the perspectives of young people today, and he believes such conflicts are meaningful and can spur discussion.

The audience also praised Zhou Dongyu's role as one of the greatest breakthroughs in her career. Zhou admitted that the role was "quite difficult to grasp" and that "from the woman's perspective, the motivation to keep her going is to make amends for the past." She further stated that she learned a great deal from her co-star and director during filming, and that working with Fan was a "dream come true" for her.

"Strangers When We Meet," set to release nationwide on May 17, has already sparked debate about the uncanny marriage that reflects both the good and ugly sides of human nature, as well as various social issues such as juvenile crime, marriage fraud, childbirth, and sexual consent.

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