Chinese superstar Li Li-li fizzes with vitality in this wholesome drama about a young girl who learns that there is no “i” in “team”.

The legendary director Sun Yu (Daybreak, HippFest 2016) created this sporty narrative specifically for Li-li whose roles tended to characterise her as energetic, wholesome and desirable. Her athletic abilities are woven into the story of Lin Ying who arrives in Shanghai, full of beans and competitive spirit, eager to take up her training at a sports college. Temptations abound in the big city but luckily her stern, handsome tutor is on hand to make sure she stays on track. 

Dir. Yu Sun | China | 1934 | N/C U | Chinese intertitles with English surtitles | 1h 29m

With: Li-li Li, Li Zhang, Xu Yin

Original title: Ti yu huang hou

Performing live: Meg Morley (piano), Frank Bockius (percussion)

Online programme notes by Yuqing Liu

Screening material courtesy of the China Film Archive 

Presented in partnership with the Confucius Institute for Scotland at the University of Edinburgh