by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
A woman trapped in a violent relationship finds escape and love with a man who is destined to die in
Bound In Heaven.
Xia You is a successful finance professional with a seemingly perfect life. Beneath her glittering facade,
however, lies a dark secret: she has an abusive partner who subjects her to severe physical and
psychological violence. Desperate to see her favorite star Faye Wong in concert, Xia’s search for scalped
tickets leads her to a fateful encounter with Xu Zitai, a terminally ill man. Their chemistry is immediate,
and their first sexual encounter in a dark alley is unforgettable. Later when Xia meets Xu Zitai again by
chance during a business trip in the city, she may never leave him again.
Written and directed by renowned scriptwriter Huo Xin, Bound In Heaven stars Ni Ni, known for her role
in Zhang Yimou’s The Flowers of War, Zhou You, and Liao Fan from Black Coal, Thin Ice. This is Xin’s
debut feature film as a director.
The stars of the film deliver outstanding performances worthy of their reputation. Ni Ni is spectacular as
a woman who is desperate for genuine love and escape from a violent and unsatisfying relationship.
Liao Fan is appropriately despicable as the violent and jealous billionaire who cares for little other than
himself. Zhou You plays a man determined to die on his terms and unafraid to love deeply and
recklessly.
Deeply touching, Bound in Heaven addresses important issues such as domestic violence and the
challenges of terminal illness within China’s healthcare system. Already an accomplished writer, Huo
directs with confidence in her nuanced and emotive script. This is a tender tale of two characters
bound together by star-crossed love and inevitable death.
With a content advisory for themes of suicide and sexually suggestive scenes, Bound In Heaven is a
romantic and sincerely honest portrayal of affection and resilience. The film is a triumph for Huo Xin,
marking her arrival as a bright new talent in China’s world of auteur filmmaking.
Grade: B