After half a year of waiting, the movie "The Big Story in the Small Town" starring Zhao Liying and Huynh Hieu Minh finally has an official broadcast schedule on January 10.
This is a key project supported by the China National Broadcasting Corporation, gathering a creative team, reputable producers and a cast of famous actors, so it is on the list of most anticipated films in the first half of 2026.
However, as the release date approached, the topics related to the film were suddenly overshadowed because of information about Zhou Yongkang's death just 16 days after the film wrapped.
Big stories in small towns" is set in the early 1980s. To promote economic development, Binh Xuyen district decided to establish Nguyet Hai town.
Two officials Ly Thu Binh (Trieu Le Dinh) and Trinh Duc Thanh (Huynh Hieu Minh) have led people to get rich together according to the "capital contribution - cooperation" model, building a modern city on the pristine alluvial grounds, thereby changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of farmers.
In the film, Chu Vien Vien plays Cao Tuyet Mai, a businesswoman. Although there is not much screen time, this character is considered the "spiritual anchor" of the whole film. She also plays a key role in leading rural embroiderers to start businesses, promoting the transformation of farmers to the urban class.
Cao Tuyet Mai not only represents the awakening of the awareness of women's independence, but also symbolizes the journey of a whole new city - from "making a living" to "enjoying life".
On May 1, 2025, the film wrapped up, but on the 17th of the same month, Zhou Yuanyuan passed away from cancer. "The Big Story in a Small Town" became the final work in the 51-year-old actress's career.
As soon as the trailer was released, the scenes featuring Zhou Yuanyuan spread strongly. In a crowded gathering scene, Zhou Yuanyuan both bites watermelon seeds and looks at others arguing, the aura of "not related but understanding everything" immediately created the image of Cao Tuyet Mai.
Especially, at the end of the trailer, Zhou Yuanyuan stands by the riverbank with fearful eyes, reminding viewers of the image of her enduring pain from cancer while still persistently filming.
Chu Vien Vien is so strong and professional that after her death, Huynh Hieu Minh and many colleagues learned that during the cooperation period, she always silently endured.
However, the audience is expressing outrage because the film crew uses Chu Vien Vien's name to promote in a different direction, instead of honoring her acting to commemorate her.
As soon as the screening schedule was announced, the phrase "Chu Yuanyuan's last work is about to air" immediately climbed to the top of the search. Clicking to watch, it was all repeated words: "51 years old passed away due to illness, left the film crew 16 days later, this is the last work".
The news absolutely did not mention a word about how vividly she played the role of Cao Tuyet Mai, as if the entire career of an actress was only left with the two words "lost".
Audiences believe that the film is based on the story of starting a business in Wenzhou, telling about the steadfastness and kindness of the "city builders", but the promotion of the film crew loses even the minimum respect for the actors.
