In the gripping neo-noir film ‘The Sun Rises on Us All,’ director Cai Shangjun explores the complex interplay of guilt, toxic relationships, and the harsh realities of contemporary China.
The Sun Rises on Us All: A Review
Freud posited that, for some, guilt precedes the crime. Incarcerated individuals often seek punishment to validate their feelings of shame and inadequacy. For them, crime serves as a means to an end: punishment and pariah status—criminality as a kink.
A Toxic Romance in Gritty Guangzhou
In his latest neo-noir, Cai Shangjun endorses one of Freud’s more controversial theories through a tale of a toxic romance fueled by an inescapable cycle of guilt. Set in the gritty, smoke-filled streets of Guangzhou—the world’s sweatshop and home to the infamous “Shein village”—Shangjun’s China is neither happy nor healthy. His characters reflect this bleak reality, as good people rarely make for compelling cinema.
Meiyun’s Struggles
Meiyun (Zhilei Xin) operates her own clothing brand in a sleek shopping mall, where she livestreams product walkthroughs for demanding customers. However, her personal life is fraught with challenges. Six weeks pregnant, she faces uncertainty at the local hospital, where her gynecologist shows little interest in her hope for the child’s survival. The father, Qifeng (Shaofeng Feng), is a handsome but married man, whose own daughter seems to sense something amiss.
A Love Triangle of Guilt
Qifeng’s shortcomings become starkly apparent when Baoshu (Songwen Zhang), an older man from Meiyun’s past, re-enters her life. A cancer patient, Baoshu is haunted by a tragic car accident for which he took the blame, spending five years in prison while Meiyun was behind the wheel. This decision has forged an unbreakable cycle of guilt between them.
Confronting the Past
As Meiyun continues her relationship with Qifeng, a love triangle emerges that mirrors the themes of “Materialists.” The cultural clash between the two men adds a layer of dark humor to the narrative, thanks to Shangjun’s deft direction. However, the levity is short-lived as Baoshu exploits Meiyun’s guilt, moving into her home and exacerbating her internal struggles.
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A Grim Reality
Shangjun’s portrayal of China is stark and unforgiving. The humid, gray environment is rife with petty crime and exploitation, starkly contrasting the idealized 21st-century image the state wishes to project. This film, much like Solzhenitsyn’s “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich,” explores the moral complexities of guilt and the quest for freedom within a confining reality.
Conclusion
Ultimately, “The Sun Rises On Us All” tells the poignant story of two broken individuals trapped in a morally bankrupt world. Meiyun’s resignation to her circumstances encapsulates the existential nihilism they both face. As they navigate their troubled lives, they remain caught in a relentless current, unable to escape their pasts.
Grade: B-
“The Sun Rises on Us All” premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival and is currently seeking U.S. distribution.
