Viva La Vida is the third and final episode themed around life and death from director Yan Han, which, without question, is his best work to date.
The plot might seem a bit of cliché because similar stories about cancer and uremia have been presented to the audience by various producers, but this film stands out due to the impeccable performances of two young actors: Yuchang Peng and Gengxi Li. Besides, it is not only a story about how Tu Luu tried to save his partner Min Ling by offering a kidney as a transplant, but mainly depicting the journey of how two "defectives" face the death together and successfully bounce back from the bottom. The film is so natural and soothing, which makes it really easy to evoke a great sense of emotion between the characters and the audience. The director aimed to minimize performing techniques so the whole movie can have a tone of authenticity. The main theme is not about the horror of the disease itself, but the courage and passion to move on.
Tears were welled up spontaneously when witnessing the hard-won happiness between two leading roles. The process of defeating the illness and the way that characters support each other can make audience deeply resonated, especially the final clip of conversation on the rooftop.
No fear next to the loved ones. Great performances, hope to see more.
