My first film I saw at MSPIFF is this romance drama set in Wuhan, China. One fateful night, a successful, beautiful woman, Xia (Ni Ni), crosses paths with ticket scalper Xu (You Zhou) when she tries to get tickets to her favorite artist, Wong Faye. Sparks fly between them, and they have what seems to be a one-night stand. There’s such a fervency and hunger in their encounter, as if they’ve been holding back a surge of unrestrained passion. It’s when they reconnect the following Winter that they uncover each other’s secret–he’s facing a terminal illness, and she’s fleeing from an abusive relationship. Despite the odds stacked against them, Xia and Xu dive headfirst into a passionate romance that could lead to their downfall.

Beijing-born filmmaker Huo Xin’s striking debut is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Li Xiuwen.  Xia seems to have everything going for her—good looks and a thriving career as a financial planner. On the other hand, the brash and standoffish Xu doesn’t seem to have much to offer. I have to admit Xu’s nihilistic tendencies can be frustrating, as he stubbornly refuses treatment and insists on confronting death on his own terms. They say love is blind, and one can never explain what connects two people so deeply. There’s a bit of Romeo & Juliet element at play here as Xin mixes some noir elements and unapologetic melodrama.

It’s a deeply romantic and intimate film with some really touching, poetic moments, even when no word is spoken. The story also tackles the theme of domestic violence against women. There’s a chilling scene in the beginning where Xia’s fiancé Song (Liao Fan) abuses her even while guests were still in their home. Yet Xin manages to infuse a humorous tone in a scene when Song tracks Xia down at Xu’s sidewalk noodle place.

Filmed on locations around China, from the lush countryside to the modern city streets, the cinematography is as beautiful as it is evocative. There’s a heartbeat rhythm in the music too that wonderfully fits the mood. I love the scene where the lovers watch the fireworks from inside a cable car. Xu doesn’t say much, but the moment he finally opens up to Xia is indelible… ‘I hadn’t planned on living this long. If I hadn’t met you, I wouldn’t have anyone to say goodbye to.’ In a lesser film, that line might have come across pretty cheesy, but here it resonates deeply and carries real significance. While I might not see eye to eye with the characters’ choices at the end, Xin highlights the delicate nature of life and encourages us to truly cherish the days we’re given.

Bound in Heaven is one of the most emotionally powerful and romantic films I’ve watched in ages. A fantastic debut from Huo Xin, I’d love to see what she’d do next!

What do you think of this film? I’d love to hear what you think!