The realistic drama film "In the Crevice" is set to be released nationwide on November 8. The film is written and directed by Guo Dalu, with Tao Xinran serving as producer, supervising producer, and leading actress, alongside Zhao Bingrui in a starring role.

Poster for "In the Crevice"

The story revolves around a single mother, Li Qingcao (portrayed by Tao Xinran), who is working outside with her daughter (played by Wang Yiwen). Without a stable home or registered residency, she is urgently searching for an elementary school that can enroll her daughter. Meanwhile, in the dilapidated walls of an abandoned school, a long-buried corpse is uncovered. The county detective chief, Han Yan (played by Zhao Bingrui), discovers that this case is linked to five teenagers from years ago. Each of them seems to carry a secret within their heart...

Creators with the audience

On October 30, the film premiered in Shanghai, with writer and director Guo Dalu appearing alongside producer, supervising producer, and leading actress Tao Xinran, who interacted closely with the audience after the screening. Tao Xinran, who left a strong impression on viewers as An Lingrong in "Empresses in the Palace," received enthusiastic engagement from fans at the event. Amidst the excitement and emotion, she hopes that through this film, which has been in the making for over ten years, audiences will see another side of her as an actress.

Live performance as An Lingrong

Although it is a realistic drama, "In the Crevice" is filled with suspense. The ancient skeleton found between the walls of the old village school unveils secrets that have long been buried for children left behind. How did the fate of the five teenage friends change overnight? As different timelines intersect, the unraveling of the truth surrounding the victim is intertwined with the experiences of forgotten children as they grow up, from rural areas to cities, in the "hidden corners" of society.

Director Guo Dalu shared the story behind the film's creation: "To prepare for filming, I spent some time in the shooting location of Anhua, wandering around the county every day to observe the local people's lifestyle. It has unique scenery, with mountains and rivers, and a sense of time that blends the old town with the new. Thus, I decided to adopt a realistic style while incorporating elements of suspense and crime to create a unique atmosphere for the film."

In the film, as a single mother, Li Qingcao faces a series of challenges that women often encounter. To connect with this character, Tao Xinran learned to play mahjong, make rice noodles, and even tanned her skin. "I hope to present a Tao Xinran with different vitality through the role of Li Qingcao," she said.

Many fans who came seeking "An Lingrong" did not miss the opportunity to compare past roles with the new film during the Q&A session. Tao Xinran pointed to her grim, dark image on the poster and exclaimed, "Look at me! And I still can't escape?" Balancing multiple roles, Tao Xinran shared her deep emotions about the film, stating, "From 'Empresses in the Palace' in 2010 to 'In the Crevice' in 2024, I have spent fourteen years showing a transformative Tao Xinran."

Tao Xinran

Director Guo Dalu humorously accused Tao Xinran of being "distracted" due to her multiple roles, saying, "She needs to secure funding and relationships, and act, which makes me feel she’s not focused. We would argue. One time, I even slammed the table and asked her why she hadn't written character bios, leaving the producer terrified that the director was going to blow up the project."

Tao Xinran explained that her motivation to make this film stemmed from a real juvenile crime case she learned about ten years ago at the school where her mother taught. After many ups and downs, despite facing numerous challenges throughout the filmmaking process, she remained determined to complete this film due to a lingering sense of responsibility.

To prepare for the movie, Tao Xinran delved into the mountains for field research. "I traveled to Yiliang in Yunnan and Liangshan in Sichuan, where I met many children." She recalls the unforgettable moment in Liangshan when a child told her that the best thing they’d ever eaten was steamed buns because they ate potatoes every day—boiled, fried, or stewed. On another occasion, an elderly woman and her grandson knelt before her. "She heard I was a celebrity and asked, ‘Can you help my grandson find his mom? He hasn’t seen her in two years.’”

Tao Xinran's voice quivered with emotion as she recounted these memories. "Many years have passed, and I hope that with the progress of time, significant changes have occurred. However, that image is indelible in my mind. Those scenes linger in my heart, and I yearn to tell the stories of these people." She revealed that the actors portraying the five children in the film are actual left-behind children. After filming, they cried all the way home on the train. "Some scenes moved me so deeply. Although their lives seem distant from mine, I believe cultural workers have a responsibility to record, convey, present, and narrate stories that resonate with our world’s living beings."

The film "In the Crevice" will be released nationwide on November 8, and pre-sales have already begun.