1. "Her Story"

A poster for "Her Story." [Photo courtesy of Maxtimes Culture]

"Her Story," written and directed by Shao Yihui, is a compelling and innovative film that explores the multifaceted roles and dilemmas faced by women in their professional, emotional and family lives. The film started out as a sequel to Shao's critically acclaimed 2021 Shanghai-dialect romance "B for Busy," but evolved into a parallel narrative. Still set in Shanghai, this romantic comedy-drama captivated viewers with its honest portrayal of single mother Wang Tiemei (played by Song Jia), her witty daughter (Zeng Mumei), and the singer and sound engineer Xiao Ye (Zhong Chuxi), whose intertwined stories shine a light on the diverse lives of different women, as well as Shanghai migrants. Shao avoids the traditional tragic narrative often associated with women's themes, instead opting for light-hearted and humorous dialogue that paints a complex picture of the characters. 

The film not only discusses gender issues through everyday interactions, but also portrays male characters with nuance, pointing out their flaws while allowing space for change, thus fostering a more inclusive and open dialogue about gender. "Her Story" is marked by its acute observations of women's issues, warm understanding of life and balanced liberal ethos, delivering sharp, humorous commentary reminiscent of Woody Allen and serving as China's answer to "Barbie."