At the upcoming 2023 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, slated for Nov. 8 to 10 in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, cyber-related issues and governance are poised to be pivotal subjects. This
Cast and crew of "Trending Topic" pose for a photo at an advanced screening event during the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 3, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse]
"Trending Topic" revolves around a self-media editor with a talent for generating online traffic and trending topics who inadvertently contributes to a female student's suicide. Discovering a distress message from the victim, she unveils a sexual assault case, leading to the involvement of her partner and business investor. As public sentiment fluctuates, hidden interests come to light, sparking a battle for justice.
Xin, known for his critically acclaimed "Deep in the Heart" and "Wrath of Silence," moved away from his usual style of complicated plotlines and structure with this movie, instead choosing a subject that is highly relevant nowadays to explore human nature behind the online public opinion war. "I'm willing to sacrifice some suspense to highlight realism, in the hopes of moving the audience," he said.
An advanced screening of the film was held at this year's China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival on Nov. 3 in Xiamen, Fujian province. It was selected as the most-anticipated new film during the event's film exhibition section, and is set to debut in theaters across China on Dec. 1.
Lead actress Zhou Dongyu, who plays the editor in the film, described it as "a kaleidoscopic microcosm, reflecting many social phenomena." Meanwhile, executive producer Wang Hongwei praised the director's boldness and emphasized the responsibility of films to depict social issues.
Director Xin Yukun mentioned that many recent online social incidents represent an awakening force and need to be documented and shared. However, he also acknowledged that a film cannot unravel all the intricate factors behind the manipulation of online public opinion. Nevertheless, he hopes it can help clarify the sequence of events and improve people's ability to discern the truth.
In response to rising public demands, China has taken several measures to regulate online information dissemination and combat negative behavior in the digital realm in recent years. A series of special campaigns such as Operation Qinglang have been launched to address pressing internet-related concerns, including pornography, false information, cyberbullying and algorithm misuse. In March, China's State Council Information Office also released a white paper titled "China's Law-Based Cyberspace Governance in the New Era" to highlight the nation's progress and experiences in this domain.
