Viva La Vida () is a 2024 Chinese romantic drama film co-written and directed by Han Yan. Adapted from a non-fiction article, it tells the story of two gravely ill young individuals, Lü Tu (Peng Yuchang) and Ling Min (Li Gengxi), who embark on an unexpected journey of love and strength. The film was theatrically released on March 30, 2024.
When the scatterbrained Lü Tu meets the sullen Ling Min, two young individuals with severe illnesses but vastly different personalities, they unexpectedly embark on a healing journey filled with love and strength due to a "life relay" agreement. The most understanding children and the most burdened parents together form the most genuine and touching portrayal of a Chinese family.
The production of Viva La Vida was led by Lianrui Pictures, with Han Yan directing and co-writing the script alongside Li Fu. The film is adapted from the non-fiction article "The Most Pragmatic Marriage Deal, The Most Emotional Eternal Promise", and continues Han's signature style of emotional storytelling, particularly in portraying medical and life-affirming narratives. Filming took place in Changsha, Hunan, China, where the city's urban energy and local culture provided a vibrant yet grounded backdrop for the story. The film employs handheld cinematography and jump cut editing, enhancing its documentary-like realism. The production team also paid special attention to authentic medical details, ensuring a deeply emotional and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by critically ill patients.
Viva La Vida was slated for a Chinese New Year release on February 10, 2024, but to avoid competition, the studio made the strategic decision to postpone its premiere to March 30, 2024. The film later expanded internationally, with a limited screening in Japan on April 19, 2024, before gradually reaching a wider audience in the country. Despite the delayed release, the film grossed 276 million yuan globally as of June 9, 2024.