Recently, the Shanghai premiere of the film "Changier" was held at SFC International Cinema (Ganso Dream World Store) in Zhaoxiang, Qingpu District, Shanghai.

The film "Changier" vividly depicts the two-decade journey of China's AIDS prevention efforts among young people through the intertwined destinies of several representative characters. The film transcends mere storytelling, profoundly exploring the complex and dynamic interplay between institutions and individuals, and between personal growth and the era. Meanwhile, unlike traditional film and television works about AIDS that adopt a somber tone, "Changier" truthfully reflects reality while conveying positive and uplifting life force through a warm narrative, making it a significant cultural marker of our times with profound social relevance.

The film "Changier" tells the story of Ji Jie and his father Ji Shisan, who are in conflict due to long-standing estrangement. When Shen Kun appears, a family secret is revealed: Ji Jie's mother died of AIDS, but Ji Jie grew up healthy thanks to mother-to-child transmission prevention technology. Through the joys and sorrows of one family, the film reflects the tremendous progress China has made in its AIDS prevention efforts, from an era when the disease was too frightening to even mention to the successful prevention of mother-to-child transmission. With the help of charitable organizations and volunteers, the father and son embarked on a journey to reunite with their family and ultimately reconciled. The story not only portrays the profound devotion of paternal love and family bonds that transcend life and death, but also honors the unsung heroes on the front lines of AIDS prevention, revealing the enduring power of life and love.

Producer, screenwriter, and director Xiang Kai explained: "'Changier' is the first public welfare film in China to address the issue of AIDS among adolescents, focusing on how young people can protect themselves, which is absolutely crucial. The decision to hold the Shanghai premiere in Zhaoxiang, Qingpu was made in consideration of the rapid development of Qingpu's film and television industry in recent years. Additionally, both Shanghai Film Industry and Saint Castle Films, which handle distribution and production respectively, are headquartered in Zhaoxiang Town, Qingpu. We hope that through our efforts as filmmakers, we can foster a vibrant atmosphere and attract more outstanding film and television talents to showcase their expertise and abilities, thereby elevating Qingpu's cultural film and television industry to national prominence and onto the world stage."

On the same day, the film launched nationwide advance screenings, with the first screening held at Shanghai Film Art Center (SHO Dolby Theatre).

During the post-screening Q&A session, industry professionals and film critics shared their diverse perspectives. Liang Shan, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Film Association, said: "Changier, as a public welfare film, holds special significance and has made tremendous efforts to raise awareness about AIDS among adolescents." Liu Haibo, Chairman of the Shanghai Film Critics Society, stated: "The film has profound implications. It not only portrays AIDS but also addresses how people should interact with those living with AIDS."

With its profound documentation of great love in the human world, "Changier" was honored as a recommended film in the "Light and Shadow Imprint" category at the Film Carnival of the 14th Beijing International Film Festival in 2024. The work will be officially released nationwide on November 28 this year in conjunction with the 38th World AIDS Day, featuring "inviting you to watch a movie" as its core initiative to deliver "an AIDS prevention lesson in the cinema". The nationwide preview screening period will run for one month before the official release (October 28 to November 27, 2025), with 3,000 to 5,000 screenings planned.

In the film, Ji Jie (played by Li Ningyuan), who lost his mother in childhood, harbors deep resentment toward his father Ji Shisan (played by Xiang Neng). A misunderstanding triggers a conflict, causing the father-son tensions to escalate. Shen Kun (played by Zhou Xiaoyi) suddenly appears, forcing Ji Shisan to reveal to Ji Jie a secret he has kept buried in his heart for over a decade. The conflict between father and son is resolved in a tender atmosphere. With the assistance of APEPCY and Zhonghai University's public welfare association, Ji Shisan and Ji Jie embarked on a journey together to find Shen Kun.

The film powerfully illustrates the remarkable progress in China's AIDS prevention efforts through the trajectory of one family, where mother Du Chumei (played by Ai Li) and elder brother Shen Kun contract HIV, while younger brother Ji Jie is protected from infection through mother-to-child transmission prevention technology. This plot element serves not only as a crucial narrative device but also as a microcosm of China's historic achievements in global public health. From the panic of once "too frightening to even mention" to the establishment of China's effective solution for preventing mother-to-child transmission, the film bears witness through its authentic narrative to the progress of an era. Behind this is a miracle of life forged by national will, medical advancement, and social compassion, bringing the light of hope to countless families.

Meanwhile, the film also portrays touching everyday heroes on the frontlines of AIDS prevention: Chunni (played by Wang Chunzi), a volunteer with APEPCY, tirelessly travels to deliver life-sustaining medication to the infected Shen Kun, bringing not only medicine but also the warmth of compassion; the homeroom teacher (played by Wang Jinsong) at Zhonghai University earnestly guides students both inside and outside the classroom, dedicated to promoting scientific knowledge about sexual health and building a cognitive defense against AIDS for young students. Through their actions, they demonstrate that every effort, from treatment to prevention, represents a vital force in the fight against AIDS and the protection of lives and health.

In the film, family bonds and friendship are timeless themes that resonate deeply with the heart. In "Changier", this love is portrayed as a heavy yet unwavering guardianship: to shoulder the burden of Ji Jie's university tuition and living expenses, Father Ji Shisan becomes an unlicensed taxi driver, tirelessly traveling from place to place day after day for years, silently bearing his responsibilities until the very end of his life. Only then does Ji Jie truly grasp the immense weight of paternal love. As for the mother, Du Chumei, in her final days, she poured her unfulfilled love and deepest concerns into a letter sent far away, hoping for a miracle that would reunite her with the child she had been separated from for over a decade, a reunion transcending life and death itself. These two intertwined and parallel threads of familial love together compose a moving symphony of forgiveness, protection, and reconciliation with life.

Moreover, as Du Chumei's closest friend during her lifetime, Thirteenth Aunt (played by Ren Mingsong) extended this bond to caring for her family after her best friend's passing. She often helped Ji Shisan secure better-paying long-distance jobs, continuing to care for this family that had weathered so many storms in her simple yet heartfelt way. At the critical moment, she produced Du Chumei's handwritten letter from before her death, fulfilled the deceased's final wish, and ultimately helped this broken family find reconciliation and reunion.