Tiantan Award Cinema Takes Time Time Delivers the Answer
On the evening of April 17, the premiere screening and post-screening talk for Being Toward Death, a Tiantan Award–nominated entry at the 16th Beijing International Film Festival, was held at Emperor Cinemas. Screenwriter-director Chen Sicheng, co-writers Tan Liying and Shi Xiaoyu, as well as lead actors Jiang Long and Zhang Chi attended the event and engaged with the audience in a post-screening discussion.
Post-screening Event for Being Toward Death
The film Being Toward Death follows Zhang Xiaobing, a man who survives a failed suicide attempt after jumping from a building. He subsequently becomes a caregiver in Ward 10 at the end of a hospital corridor, where he encounters a group of critically ill patients clinging fiercely to life. Set on the fragile boundary between life and death, the story unfolds as a bittersweet meditation infused with both humor and emotion.
During the Post-Screening Talk, the creative team shared insights into the film's conception and performances. Chen Sicheng described Being Toward Death as a "sincere film" shaped by genuine emotion from script development through to performance. Speaking about his collaboration with Jiang Long and Zhang Chi, he noted Jiang's strong alignment with the character of Zhang Xiaobing, while also highlighting the energy and vitality that emerging actors bring to contemporary Chinese cinema.
Chen Sicheng, Screenwriter-director of Being Toward Death
Co-writer Tan Liying reflected on the writing process, noting that it coincided with two defining life events—the passing of her mother and the birth of her child—which deepened her understanding of the film's exploration of life and death. Co-writer Shi Xiaoyu added that the creative team sought to approach the subject of mortality with candor, aiming to foster emotional connection and resonance with audiences.
Tan Liying and Shi Xiaoyu, Screenwriters of Being Toward Death
Lead actors Jiang Long and Zhang Chi discussed the challenges of their performances, noting that the film's tightly structured rhythm and near-theatrical pacing demanded heightened precision, while also allowing them to express raw and immediate emotional states.
Jiang Long and Zhang Chi, Lead Actors in Being Toward Death
Being Toward Death is scheduled for theatrical release on May 1, 2026. The team looks forward to bringing this heartfelt and resonant work to a wider audience.
