On the evening of 6/9, Xin Zhilei achieved a dream come true, winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival in Italy for her performance in *The Sun Rises On Us All*. The 39-year-old actress described the moment as surreal.

"Over 10 years ago, I boasted that one day I would stand on a world stage. At the time, many people ridiculed me. But today, I'm here. I competed with many international actors to win this award, and I'm proud of myself," Xin Zhilei said.

Xin Zhilei wins Best Actress. Photo: QQ

Xin Zhilei encouraged young women to dare to dream and pursue their ambitions. In *The Sun Rises On Us All*, she portrays Meiyun, a woman reunited with her former lover, Bao Shu (played by Zhang Songwen), after many years apart. Pregnant with his child, Meiyun finds Bao Shu a cancer patient recently released from prison. Their reunion unveils past secrets and exposes the conflicts and pain in their lives.

Xin Zhilei at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Photo: Sohu

The film's Chinese title, *Ri Guai Zhong Tian*, draws inspiration from a Ming Dynasty play. It metaphorically suggests that men and women, after enduring hardship, will reconcile and find happiness. The film explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the tension between moral standards and personal desires.

According to *Mtime*, Xin Zhilei's win was widely praised. Tens of thousands of people believe she has "rewritten the narrative" for Chinese actresses born in the 1980s.

For over a decade, no Chinese actress had achieved international recognition comparable to Gong Li or Zhang Manyu, leading some to lament the "extinction of top-tier actresses in China."

In recent years, audiences have criticized the lack of depth in Chinese cinema, with a perceived homogeneity in beauty standards favoring "fair skin, youth, and thinness." Xin Zhilei defies these trends, possessing unique beauty and lacking the massive social media following typical of many contemporary stars.

Born in 1986 into a poor family in Heilongjiang, Xin Zhilei spent her childhood with her grandmother while her parents worked far from home. In high school, she aspired to study art. Her mother gave her 500 CNY (about 70 USD) to travel to another city for entrance exams and interviews. With this meager sum, she traveled, auditioned, and slept at train stations before returning home. She was accepted into a fashion design program. Upon starting university, her family faced further hardship when her father was paralyzed in an accident. Xin Zhilei worked throughout her studies to cover tuition and support her family.

For eight years, she worked as an extra, often securing roles only to be later dropped. Discouraged and heartbroken, she contemplated abandoning her dream, even lying on the street in tears.

Before his passing, her father longed for a computer to connect with loved ones online. Struggling financially, Xin Zhilei couldn't fulfill his wish. "Now that he's gone, I can only burn paper computers for him each year," she shared in a 2018 talk show.

When her grandmother came to Beijing for liver cancer treatment, Xin Zhilei, earning around 2,000 CNY (about 280 USD) per month, wanted to treat her to roast duck. They left the restaurant empty-handed, unable to afford the meal.

In 2011, a supporting role in the television series *Painted Skin* opened doors to more opportunities. 2016 marked a turning point with critical acclaim for her performance in *Crosscurrent*. On *Mtime*, she stated, "This was my first leading role in a film. I would have done it even if it meant dying, regardless of the genre."

Xin Zhilei continued to captivate audiences with her distinct beauty and versatile acting in film and television, including *Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace*, *Candle In The Tomb: The Wrath Of Time*, and *Joy of Life*. In 2023, Wong Kar-wai's *Blossoms Shanghai* elevated her career to new heights.

According to *HK01*, during filming in 2020, some labeled her "the ugliest leading lady in a Wong Kar-wai film." Many perceived her as having "coarse features, thick lips, and looking too old."

However, in *Blossoms Shanghai*, she exuded elegance and a unique beauty. On *Yitiao*, Xin Zhilei expressed surprise at her appearance in the film. "I think *Blossoms Shanghai* captures the most beautiful version of myself. It made me realize how beautiful I could be. I never appreciated my looks before. Watching the film, I sometimes couldn't believe it was me," she admitted.

Xin Zhilei's elegant presence in Wong Kar-wai's film. Photo: HK01

Xin Zhilei acknowledges her ambition and clear goals. She has openly stated, "I really want to be famous," "I crave wealth," and "I want to be an international star." These statements once drew mockery when she was less known.

Following her Venice win, many recalled Wong Kar-wai's words from a year earlier: "Xin Zhilei's future will be even brighter. This is just the beginning of her best time."

Nghinh Xuan (*Mtime, Sina*)