While Zhang's story involves much about marriage and family, that of another chorus member Liu Ping has been more about a solo, independent journey. As she chooses to remain single, Liu has been living a carefree life and continuously enjoys exploring the world by investing her time in various interests such as diving, horseback riding, boxing and golf. In the documentary, she jokes that she is going to be "an old lady skateboarding in a qipao (cheongsam)".
"I am a fast learner, but I'm only pursuing a better-than-average level. We only live once, and I just want to try and experience more. My goal and my motto are the same: To live is to experience," Liu tells China Daily.
But it does not mean Liu did not face any challenges. She says she is fortunate to have a job she likes and a teamlike family, in which she devotes half of her energy. Liu mentions a former colleague in the film, who used to be very free-spirited and unrestrained but said her life became restricted after having a child. Yet, when asked if she had regrets, she honestly answered: "A little."
"Don't let regret follow you always. This is my motivation to learn new things. You can't waste life," says Liu.
Despite diverse challenges, difficulties and regrets, these "Shanghai girls" share one trait, that is, they truly love who they are today and though they do miss their younger 30-year-old selves, they would not trade their 50s for anything. Zhang believes that her friends in the film are actually confident about sharing their lives and thoughts, and the confidence comes from their firm belief that the future will get even better.
"We have to make thousands of choices each day. Instead of regretting them, we could absorb the valuable parts and make them the motivation to carry us further. Just look at us, we have been through so much," Zhang says. "I hope audiences (of the film) can also believe in themselves and love themselves, be it in their girlhood or when they are middle-aged women or elderly ladies."
It also echoes with director Luo's message and encouragement to the audience: "The women's stories are the countless trivial details that make up lives, but it is here that they acquire their strength and warmth. They inspire me to face the challenges in my own life. I hope that their stories and vitality do the same."
