Three Chinese films are in competition at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival’s flagship Tiantan Awards, each bringing unique perspectives on human connection, justice, and survival to the screen.

“Better Me, Better You”: A Song to Female Resilience

Mahua FunAge’s breakthrough female-focused drama “Better Me, Better You,” directed by Hao Ming and Li Peiran, represents a new direction for the hitherto comedy-focused group. The film stars Ma Li, who also serves as producer, portraying Bai Liping, a caregiver from Northeast China fleeing domestic violence.

“What initially attracted me was the touching relationship between the two female characters in the story,” Ma tells Variety. “Bai Liping, the nanny, and Tang Shuyin, the retired teacher, have completely different identities and backgrounds and would normally have no intersection.”

The story follows Bai’s journey to Beijing where she encounters Tang Shuyin (played by Zhao Shuzhen), a lonely elderly woman. Their...