In the Heat of the Sun (1994) Chinese Movie

Synopsis

In the Heat of the Sun is a remarkable coming-of-age drama directed by Jiang Wen, set during the Cultural Revolution in Beijing. Loosely based on Wang Shuo’s novel Wild Beast, the film is a nostalgic yet subversive exploration of youth, memory, and personal history.

The story follows Ma Xiaojun (nicknamed “Monkey”), a rebellious teenager navigating adolescence in a world largely absent of parental and societal authority. As his group of friends roam the streets, engaging in mischief and romance, Monkey develops an infatuation with a beautiful older girl, Mi Lan. Through his unreliable and dreamlike narration, the film blurs the line between reality and idealized memory, emphasizing the subjectivity of personal history.