Moving the Piano Around

Core Plot
Seventy-year-old retired teacher Cui Su'e (Fang Xiaoli), encouraged by her son Wei Jun (Li Fei), meets 67-year-old rideshare driver Shi Jianhua (Ren Wei). The two have contrasting personalities—Cui Su'e is elegant and reserved, with a passion for the piano, while Shi Jianhua is straightforward and down-to-earth, skilled in playing the erhu. As they spend time together, feelings begin to develop. However, Shi Jianhua suffers a sudden stroke, disrupting their peaceful lives, and Cui Su'e is forced to leave due to family pressures. Ultimately, Wei Jun takes Shi Jianhua in, and a surprising incident leads to a miraculous turn in his condition. The film uses dual musical instruments to symbolize the differences between the characters, portraying the warm journey of two families evolving from conflict to coexistence through illness, misunderstandings, and acceptance.

Characters and Metaphors

• Musical Semiotics: The collision of the piano and erhu's tones symbolizes the cultural differences between intellectuals and the working class. The final ensemble scene represents the melting of barriers, serving as the emotional climax of the film.
• Elderly Narrative: Fang Xiaoli and Ren Wei transcend age limitations to portray the subtlety and passion of late-life romance, while Li Fei illustrates his character's growth arc from "intervener" to "restorer."

Production Highlights

• Social Relevance: Director Zhang Wanyi focuses on the theme of "aging society," highlighting the emotional needs of the elderly and the challenges of intergenerational communication, being dubbed the "Chinese version of 'The Father.'"
• Attention to Detail: The repetitive action of "moving the piano" serves as a metaphor for the clash between traditional values and modern life, as Wei Jun's act of moving the piano into the old house symbolizes an attempt at merging the old and the new.

(Note: This introduction is based on publicly available information from the production team and does not include unverified content.)