Girls on Wire

Girls on Wire
Theatrical release poster
Traditional Chinese想飞的女孩
Literal meaningGirl who wants to fly
Hanyu PinyinXiǎng fēi de nǚhái
Directed byVivian Qu
Written byVivian Qu
Produced by
  • Sean Chen
  • Hong Qin
  • Xu Jiahan
Starring
CinematographyChaoyi Zhang
Edited byHongyu Yang
Music byWen Zi
Production
companies
  • L'Avvantura Films
  • JQ Spring Pictures
Distributed byFilms Boutique
Release dates
  • 17 February 2025 (2025-02-17) (Berlinale)
  • 8 March 2025 (2025-03-08) (China)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryChina
LanguageMandarin

Girls on Wire (Chinese: 想飞的女孩) is a 2025 Chinese drama film written and directed by Vivian Qu. It follows Tian Tian (Liu Haocun), a single mother who kills a drug dealer and is then pursued by those seeking vengeance.[1]

The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 17 February 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear.[2] It was theatrically released in China on 8 March.

Synopsis

The film follows the journey of two estranged cousins over 20 years, exploring their evolution and redemption. After a desperate escape from a drug den, Tian Tian seeks refuge with her cousin Fang Di, whom she hasn't seen in five years. However, Fang Di, hardened by a life of struggles and broken dreams, is reluctant to reconcile. As danger looms with criminals closing in, their fates become inextricably linked once again.

Cast

  • Liu Haocun as Tian Tian
  • Wen Qi as Fang Di
  • Zhang Youhao as Ming
  • Zhou You as Tian Tian's father
  • Peng Jing as Fang Di's Mother

Release

Girls on Wire had its world premiere on 17 February 2025, as part of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in Competition.[3][4][5] The film will be screened in Cinephile Paradise at the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival on 13 April 2025.[6][7]

The film was released in China on 8 March 2025.[8]

The film is selected at the 24th New York Asian Film Festival held from July 11 to July 25, 2025 for its North American Premiere.[9] It will have its first screening on July 19 at the LOOK Cinemas W57.[10] The film was also part of Horizons section of the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was screened from 4 July to 9 July 2025.[11]

On 28 October 2025, the film was showcased at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival in 'World Focus' section.[12] It will be presented in 'Cinema of the World - 2025' section of the 56th International Film Festival of India in November 2025.[13]

Berlin-based Films Boutique acquired the sales rights of the film in January 2025.[1]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 23 February 2025 Golden Bear Girls on Wire Nominated [14]

References

  1. ^ a b Rebecca Leffler (23 January 2025). "Films Boutique boards Vivian Qu's Berlin competition title 'Girls On Wire' (exclusive)". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  2. ^ Rosser, Michael (21 January 2025). "Berlin film festival reveals 2025 competition line-up 2025". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  3. ^ Davide Abbatescianni (21 January 2025). "The Berlinale unveils the titles playing in its Competition and its Perspectives and Berlinale Special strands". Cineuropa. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  4. ^ Ntim, Zac (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Richard Linklater, Jessica Chastain, A$AP Rocky & Marion Cotillard Movies Among Vibrant Selection". Deadline. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Girls on Wire". Berlinale. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  6. ^ Shackleton, Liz (17 March 2025). "'The Brightest Sun', 'Pavane For An Infant' To Open HKIFF; Leos Carax & Ando Sakura Among Filmmakers Set To Attend". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Girls on Wire". HKIFF. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  8. ^ "想飞的女孩" [Girls on Wire]. Douban (in Chinese). 12 September 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  9. ^ "NYAFF and FLC Announce First Highlights of the 2025 New York Asian Film Festival, July 11–27". Film at Lincoln Center. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  10. ^ "New York Asian Film Festival 2025: Forbidden Fairytale". Film at Lincoln Center. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Catalogue of Films". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 20 June 2025. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  12. ^ "TIFF: Full lineup: Girls on Wire". Tokyo International Film Festival. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Cinema of the World - 2025". International Film Festival of India. 7 November 2025. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  14. ^ Scott Roxborough (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Movies From Richard Linklater, Michel Franco, Hang Song-Soo in Competition (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 January 2025.