Jiang Wen creates biopic of superstar pianist Lang Lang

Prominent Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen presents a biopic based on the life of renowned pianist Lang Lang, but transforms it into a wild musical rhapsody brimming with passion.

A still from "You Are the Best." [Photo courtesy of Da Chong Pictures]

Directed, written by and starring Jiang Wen, "You Are the Best" is adapted from Lang Lang's 2008 autobiography "Journey of a Thousand Miles." The book recounts the pianist's rise in classical music — the struggles, successes and controversies. One shocking passage describes Lang's father, Lang Guoren, demanding that his son jump off a building during a heated argument.

Jiang, who plays the pianist's demanding father, admitted relishing his role: "Only controversial, edgy characters are interesting. Controversy isn't bad — just differing perspectives. For me, that makes a fantastic role." As for deciding which stories to select, he was blunt: "I don't overthink it. I film what moves me first, believing audiences will feel the same."

With a star-studded cast including Ma Li, Yu Hewei, Lei Jiayin, Ge You and Donnie Yen, the story of "You Are the Best" begins in Shenyang, Liaoning province, where the Lang family of three lived early on. Lang's mother serves as the family's financial backbone and emotional anchor, while his father takes on the roles of mentor, nanny and protector. Lang Lang has only one job — to use his piano skills to conquer the music world.

Jiang Wen at the premiere of "You Are the Best" in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Bravo Entertainment]

Compared with Jiang Wen's previous films, "You Are the Best" shows more tenderness and emotional nuance. Jiang said he used to avoid expressing emotion in film, possibly due to his upbringing and the era he grew up in, but this time he let more out. "With this film, a lot has been released. It's connected to my age, to raising my sons and to the influence of my friends. But without the restraint I had before, I wouldn't have the release I have today," he said.

Jiang described filmmaking as a kind of collaborative alchemy, where his works serve as catalysts for audience interpretation. He views cinema as an "attitude made visible," unconcerned with extreme readings as long as the on-screen reality sparks imagination. Regarding his latest project, he likened the source material to raw ore refined through dual creative processes — his cinematic vision and viewer perception — whose collision generates transformative energy. This dynamic, he noted, elevates the story beyond adaptation into universal themes of generational aspiration.

"It's not a simple story anymore. It has become a story between me and others, about the journey of children and parents. It's a story about daring to have dreams and daring to seize those dreams," he said.

The filmmaker also had some advice to share about the message of the film. "There's something I really want to say — have fewer distractions, and maybe you will be the best. I firmly believe you will be, but the premise is to get rid of distractions," he said. "Maybe everyone has the potential to go as far as Lang Lang, but they listened to things they shouldn't have. From what I've seen, Lang and his father have very few distractions."

Cast and crew of "You Are the Best" pose for a photo at the film's premiere in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Bravo Entertainment]

Among all of the reviews for the film, one comment was especially important and reassuring for Jiang — it came from the superstar pianist Lang Lang himself, who spoke to the director from the audience of the premiere.

"I love you so much, director Jiang, from the bottom of my heart," Lang Lang said to Jiang, who was on stage during the premiere of "You Are the Best" in Beijing on July 17. He added, "In this film, my parents and I are just the dumpling wrapper, while the filling is made up of many of your stories."

Lang said that after viewing the film, he had more respect for his parents, adding that he now understood many things he didn't before thanks to Jiang's narrative. Although the film draws from his own experiences, the pianist believes every viewer can bravely chase their dreams just like the figures portrayed in the movie.

"You Are the Best" is currently in theaters nationwide.