China’s New Hit Film is a Harsh Look Into the Lives of ‘Aunties’

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“Like a Rolling Stone” has won rave reviews for exploring the darkness behind the story of China’s “road-trip auntie,” Su Min. It was one of the feel-good stories of the pandemic. Four years ago, 59-year-old Su Min left behind her abusive husband and decades of domestic drudgery to begin an epic solo road trip across China. As she crisscrossed the country in her little white Volkswagen, Su became a viral sensation. Millions followed her journey via social media. Media outlets rushed to profile her. Women all over China hailed her as a symbol of female empowerment. Now, a major new film based on Su’s life has hit Chinese theaters. But it’s not the crowd-pleaser that viewers were expecting. Left: A still from the film “Like a Rolling Stone.” From @电影出走的决心 on Weibo; Right: Su Min on the road. From @50岁阿姨自驾游 on Weibo The road trip that made Su famous barely features, restricted to a few scenes bookending the action. Instead, the film focuses on t ………………………………