This spring, the most eye-catching movie might be YOLO(《热辣滚烫》). By March 18, it had made around
3.5 billion yuan at the box office, reported Paper.
Directed by 41-year-old Jia Ling, the movie tells the story of a woman tired of the world,finding herself and learning to love life through boxing(拳击). The name of YOLO is short for the movie's main idea- you only live once.
Jia Ling has tried many different roles in her life, including crosstalk and sketch( 小品)performer, variety show guest and actress. The movie Hi, Mom(《你好, 李焕英》) in 2019 is the first one Jia directed in her life.
Jia didn't study directing at university. It makes her feel freer in film making because she doesn't need to follow a fixed style. To everyone's surprise, Hi, Mom made her the world's highest-grossing(票房最高) woman director before 2023.
Before making YOLO, Jia was often seen as an overweight comedian. She often makes jokes about herself to make people laugh. For this movie, Jia lost more than 50 kg which made it hard to imagine that this is the same Jia we once know. Some people online said even her voice became softer, and they called this a"rebirth"for Jia. She has proved through her actions that if you want to be successful, you need to try your best.
In Jia's eyes, her change in identity(身份) and look is her way of saying true to herself."It's hard to predict one's life. I'm just following my heart but not looking for changes in purpose.Movies are now the way to show myself, so I put all my energy into them."Jia to Xinhua.
"In fact, Jia didn't change. She's just being more herself. She shows us through her actions."said talk show host Chen Luyu.