As China’s 2025 May Day holiday approaches, the film market is thriving with presale tickets surpassing 30 million yuan by April 28. Leading the charts is The Dumpling Queen, a heartfelt biopic (传记电影) about Zang Jianhe, the founder of the famous Wanchai Ferry brand. The film’s success reflects its powerful message of perseverance, resonating deeply with audiences.
Directed by Andrew Lau and starring comedian-turned-dramatic actress Ma Li, the movie traces Zang’s extraordinary journey. Born in Shandong in 1945, Zang faced life’s harshest blows — split up with her husband in 1970s Hong Kong, she worked 20 hours a day to support her two daughters alone. With only her family’s dumpling recipe, she started selling food at the Wanchai Ferry Terminal. Her commitment to quality — handmaking each dumpling despite exhaustion — gradually won loyal customers, transforming her stall into a global frozen-food empire.
Ma Li, known for comedy roles, initially doubted her ability to portray Zang’s struggles. “I worried people wouldn’t accept me in this serious role,” she admitted. However, director Lau’s guidance helped her overcome challenges, including acting alongside Cantonese-speaking co-stars. Ma connected Zang’s story to her own early career hardships, stating, “Her fight for dignity mirrors every ordinary person’s battle to control their fate.”
Beyond entertainment, the film offers practical lessons. Zang’s business wisdom — like creating mini dumplings for children after noticing parents’ mealtime struggles — shows creative problem-solving. Her daily routines, such as waking at 3 AM to prepare fresh ingredients, demonstrate the value of discipline. Interestingly, she turned cooking into a classroom, teaching her daughters math through ingredient measurements and communication skills through customer interactions — a reminder that education exists beyond textbooks.
Produced by CMC Pictures, The Dumpling Queen will premiere globally in May, sharing a uniquely Chinese story of resilience. As Zang’s motto goes, “Sometimes, the smallest things carry the biggest dreams.” For students, her journey proves that courage and hard work can turn life’s challenges into stepping stones — a message as nourishing as her dumplings.
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