8.3/10
3,327
13 user 10 critic

In the Heat of the Sun (1994)

Yang guang can lan de ri zi (original title)
| Drama, Romance | 1994 (China)
In the Heat of the Sun Poster
A story of four teenagers during Cultural Revolution in Beijing.

Director:

Wen Jiang

Writers:

Wen Jiang, Shuo Wang (story "Wild Beasts")

Stars:

Yu Xia, Shaobo Dai, Hua Fang | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
9 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

See all 23 photos »
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Cast

Credited cast:
Yu Xia ... Ma Xiaojun
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Shaobo Dai Shaobo Dai ... Yang Gao
Hua Fang Hua Fang ... Old general
Xiaogang Feng ... Mr. Hu
Le Geng ... Liu Yiku (as Geng Le)
Dong Han Dong Han ... Ma Xiaojun (child)
Wen Jiang ... Ma Xiaojun (adult)
Bin Liu Bin Liu ... Liu Sitian (adult)
Xiaoning Liu Xiaoning Liu ... Liu Yiku (adult)
Jing Ning ... Mi Lan
Nan Shang Nan Shang ... Liu Sitian
Gaowa Siqin ... Mother
Hong Tao ... Yu Beipei
Shuo Wang Shuo Wang ... Small-time conman
Xueqi Wang ... Father
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

MA Xiaojun, a teenager boy, enjoying 100% freedom, grew up brutally in Beijing in the special days of cultural revolution. With nothing to do in schools, he began to sneak into strangers' homes using a self-made key. One day, he opened a door, entering the house of MI Lan. Without any notice, Mi came back home early, making MA nowhere to hide but under the bed. He saw the well-shaped young girl changing and naturally, as a teenager boy, he fell into the puppy love. Without any agenda or expectation, he tried to court the girl... Time passed away, young boys and girls changed. When looking back at the days of puberty, it seems the Sun shined strongly everyday. And the heat of the sun, though far fading, can still be felt in the memories of the people of that generation. Long story short, it is a Chinese version of the sorrows of younger Werther. Written by Xuguang Deng

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

communist china | republican era china | teenage boy | beijing china | directorial debut | See All (45) »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Country:

China | Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

1994 (China) See more »

Also Known As:

Yangguang Canlan de Tizi See more »

Filming Locations:

China
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Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

China Film Co-Production Corporation, Dragon Film See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (digital restored) | (rough cut) | (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ranked number 98 non-English-speaking film in the critics' poll conducted by the BBC in 2018. See more »

Alternate Versions

Ma Xiaojun's 3-minute dream was cut from the final/official Chinese DVD version, but was available on one bootleg VHS version around '95-'97. Many characters only can be seen in this dream still appear in the ending credit (e.g., 4 fake Japanese soldiers, etc.). See more »

Connections

References Lenin in October (1937) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Something of black humor covering youngsters' growing pain during the historical period of Cultural Revolution
4 May 2002 | by yingyuan – See all my reviews

It is not only a time for people over 40 years old in China to recall, but a touching story for everybody to get moved - a vivid reflection of the impulse and passion of teenagers in that restive years of Cultural Revolution of China. Lots of pain but always a time to remember. Salutation to Director Jiang Wen, who remains also the top contemporary actor in China.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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