Chen Sicheng blends laughs and tears in new film 'Being Towards Death'

Filmmaker Chen Sicheng takes a lighter look at life and death in his latest comedy "Being Towards Death."

Director Chen Sicheng and the cast of "Being Towards Death" pose with audience members for a group photo at a post-screening event during the 16th Beijing International Film Festival, Beijing, April 17, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The film screened several times during the 16th Beijing International Film Festival, with Chen and his cast attending post-screening meet-and-greets to gauge audience reactions. It was also shortlisted for the Tiantan Award, the festival's main competition.

Directed by Chen and starring Jiang Long, Qi Xi, Yang Chaoyue and Zhang Chi, the film follows a man who survives a suicide attempt and becomes a caregiver in a cancer ward to repay his debts. Tasked with supporting terminally ill patients, he joins them in refusing to be defined by life's limits. Racing to fulfill their deepest wishes, they convert an ambulance into a wish-fulfillment tour bus in a warm story of passion and optimism.

Chen described the film as "truly heartfelt" and made with "total sincerity," saying he poured his genuine emotions into every stage of production to offer an honest attitude toward life and death to audiences.

Known for the commercially successful "Detective Chinatown" franchise, Chen rejected the idea that the film represents a stylistic departure.

"People who know me will say this is a real Chen Sicheng film. It's not because I changed, but because you have a stereotyped way of thinking about me," he said. "Yes, those films were Chen Sicheng, and this film is also Chen Sicheng. These are different aspects of me."

He said the film is meant to heal and encourage audiences.

"No matter what kind of adversity or difficulties you encounter, you have to choose optimism, choose to move upward," he said.

"Being Towards Death" opens nationwide on May 1.