You are here:

Lighting Up the Stars

Name: Lighting Up the Stars
Director: Liu Jiangjiang
Released: 2022
Duration: 112 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

2022

Director

Liu Jiangjiang

Runtime

112 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Lighting Up the Stars is a character-driven drama that emphasizes social realism over identity-focused narratives. It explores the challenges of reintegration after incarceration, particularly through the eyes of a funeral director. The film dismantles traditional rehabilitation narratives and situational morality, moving away from optimistic clichés. However, it lacks visible LGBTQ+ representation and any depiction of characters with disabilities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Lighting Up the Stars have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that challenge straight-centered assumptions. The plot centers around a relationship between a man and a woman.

How does Lighting Up the Stars portray gender?

Fair

The female protagonist seems to play a significant role in driving the story, which suggests she may disrupt traditional passive female archetypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Lighting Up the Stars?

Fair

The film operates within a Chinese cinematic framework, offering a localized perspective that contrasts with Western storytelling norms.

How does Lighting Up the Stars represent religion and culture?

Good

The story delves into themes of social reintegration and the tension between individuals and the penal system. It explores existential questions through the lens of a funeral director.

Does Lighting Up the Stars include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about characters with physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities.

Present on Screen

Explores nuanced themes of social reintegration and the complexities of life after incarceration.
Provides a localized, culturally specific perspective that challenges Western-centric storytelling norms.
Avoids traditional optimistic clichés by focusing on existentialism and situational morality.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible LGBTQ+ representation or narratives that challenge straight-centered assumptions.
Does not include characters with physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities.
The female lead's role in driving the story remains unconfirmed in its depth.

Official Synopsis

Having been released after serving his sentence, a funeral director accidentally crosses paths with a girl which brings about an unexpected change in his attitude towards life.

How are these scores produced? →