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| Xin Zhilei’s Emotional Venice Win Ends 14-Year Drought for Chinese Actresses |
Chinese star Xin Zhilei has just made history at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, bagging the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her powerhouse role in The Sun Rises on Us All.
The win places Xin Zhilei in rare company – she’s now only the third Chinese-language actress ever to scoop the award, following Gong Li (The Story of Qiu Ju, 1992) and Deanie Ip (A Simple Life, 2011).
Her performance has ended a 14-year drought for Chinese actresses at Venice, instantly vaulting her into the very top tier of the mainland’s “post-85” generation of stars.
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Directed by Cai Shangjun, The Sun Rises on Us All is set against the backdrop of a small southern Chinese town, blending romance and tragedy.
Xin Zhilei plays Meiyun, a woman torn between past love and present duty, navigating emotional wreckage with raw resilience.
International critics may have been divided on the film itself, but almost everyone agreed on one thing: Xin’s subtle, layered performance was magnetic.
The jury praised how she embodied “a soul in turmoil yet unbroken,” carrying both dignity and vulnerability in every look and gesture.
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Xin shared the festival spotlight with Italian acting legend Toni Servillo, who picked up Best Actor for his role in La Grazia.
The pairing of their wins drew headlines across Europe and Asia, marking a cross-continental moment for cinema.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Xin Zhilei looked back at the days when her ambitions were laughed off.
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“I once said I wanted to stand on a world-class stage and become an international actress. Back then, people mocked me. But look – I’m here today. I’m proud of myself.”
She also delivered a heartfelt shoutout to her mum:
“Mum, look at my trophy!”
And to fans and dreamers alike, she left a parting line that’s already trending online:
“If you have a dream, go for it – what if it comes true?”
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Born in a modest family near the Russian border in northeast China, Xin Zhilei’s career hasn’t been a straight shot to the top. She first gained international notice with the 2016 Berlin competition entry Crosscurrent, and later starred in Chinese box-office hits and dramas.
Her big mainstream breakthrough came in Wong Kar-wai’s 2023 series Blossoms Shanghai, where her performance cemented her as a force to be reckoned with.
Now, Venice has stamped her name firmly into international film history.
Xin Zhilei’s triumph isn’t just personal – it’s also a symbolic boost for Chinese-language cinema at a time when global recognition can feel elusive.
With her win, she’s not only rewritten her own career trajectory but also widened the path for the next wave of Chinese actresses on the world stage.