Fantasy romance set for Qixi premiere

What if a man knew eight years ago that an irresistible natural force would one day tear him from his wife and young son? This is the premise of Gift from a Cloud, a fantasy romance released on Friday, coinciding with the Qixi Festival, the Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day.

Directed by Yao Tingting and tailored for a romance-loving audience, the film stars Qu Chuxiao and Wang Ziwen as the husband and wife.

The heart-wrenching story begins with a twist: after the man's funeral, he miraculously returns to his family — but with the appearance of his 8-year-younger self. Though initially horrified, his wife and son gradually rediscover their family bond and cherish their sweet moments together. However, the situation becomes more complex when they learn the truth: this is not a ghost, but the man's 23-year-old self, who has time-traveled to the present to make amends for all he failed to do for his family.

At the movie's premiere in Beijing earlier this week, producer Chen Zixi described the film as a genuine and sincere portrayal of love, aiming to convey the message that no matter what stage of life we are in, we should always have the courage to love fearlessly.