Big World (Chinese: 小小的我; pinyin: Xiǎo xiǎo de wǒ) is a 2024 Chinese coming-of-age drama film directed by Yang Lina. It follows Liu Chunhe, a young man with cerebral palsy, who overcomes challenges to fulfill his grandmother's dream.[2] The film premiered at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival, and was released theatrically on December 27, 2024.

Plot

Liu Chunhe, who has cerebral palsy, bravely breaks free from the physical and mental constraints holding him back as he strives to find his own place in life. His grandmother, Chen Suqun, is an eccentric elderly woman who treats Chunhe as an ordinary child. Rather than simply spoiling him in a typical grandparent-grandchild relationship, she sees him as a perfect child. Her love for Chunhe is not just about care and sacrifice—she deeply understands his emotional needs. She encourages him to work and study, believing he should experience everything a normal child does, even if it means getting hurt.

However, Chen Suqun struggles to get along with her daughter, Chen Lu. She has always tried to make up for her emotional distance from Chen Lu by taking care of Chunhe. As Chunhe works to fulfill his grandmother's lifelong dream on stage, he also hopes to mend his relationship with his mother. After a transformative summer, he finally embarks on a new journey.

After meeting Yaya, Chunhe aspires to become truly independent, rather than just being his mother's cherished but dependent son. He dreams of attending a distant teachers' college to become an educator, earning genuine respect and recognition from the world. In contrast, his mother, Chen Lu, wishes for him to stay close to home, where she can ensure his safety and care for him in every aspect of his life.

Cast

Release

Big World premiered and competed at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival and was awarded the Audience Award.[3][4]

On 9 December 2024, it was officially announced that the film will be released on 31 December, along with the release of a promotional poster and a trailer named "Chunhe is coming back!"[5] On 21 December, the release date was moved up to December 27.[6] The last weekend of 2024 saw a remarkable boost in China's box office, with the film taking the lead by earning $28.2 million (200 million yuan).[7] As of 8 Jan, the box office of the film has exceeded 600 million yuan.[8]

Impact

After the film was launched, the production team put out a short documentary that featured individuals with cerebral palsy working in diverse roles such as chefs, delivery drivers, dancers, poets, and full-time dads. The documentary particularly resonated with those in the disability community, receiving commendations for bringing attention to a seldom-discussed facet of Chinese society.[9]

Awards

Year Award Category Nominee Results
2024 37th Tokyo International Film Festival Audience Award Big World Won

References

  1. ^ "Weekly box office > China". EntGroup Inc. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Big World (2024): A Heartfelt Journey of Resilience and Hope". Updated News 360. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  3. ^ "[Event Report] TIFF Closes Out 37th Edition with First Japanese Grand Prix Winner Since 2005". Tokyo International Film Festival. 6 November 2024. Archived from the original on 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  4. ^ Rahman, Abid (6 November 2024). "Tokyo: Yoshida Daihachi's 'Teki Cometh' Takes Grand Prix, Director, Actor Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  5. ^ "电影《小小的我》官宣定档12月31日 刘春和多重身份引期待". YNET.com北青网. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  6. ^ "易烊千玺主演电影《小小的我》提档至12月27日 — 新京报" [The movie "Little Me" starring Yi Yang Qianxi was moved up to December 27]. bjnews.com.cn (in Chinese). 21 December 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  7. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (30 December 2024). "'Big World,' 'Octopus' Propel China's Box Office to Year-End Surge as 'Mufasa' Drops to Fifth Place". Variety. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  8. ^ "易烊千玺《小小的我》票房破6亿,甄子丹《误判》累计2.31亿". 163.com. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  9. ^ Mao, Moren (24 January 2025). "Chinese Film "Big World" Explores Cerebral Palsy and Adolescence - RADII". Retrieved 20 February 2025.
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