English translation:
Best Friend, directed by emerging filmmaker Travis Song, takes autism as its point of entry to open a coming-of-age conversation about inclusion and understanding.
The film follows A-Fu (played by Yang Zhihe), a high-school boy who crosses paths with Xia Yan (played by Duan Aojuan), and gradually forms a bond with A-Tian (played by Ken Matsuzawa), a boy on the autism spectrum. As their lives intersect, three inner worlds unfold: A-Fu moves from self-avoidance toward responsibility; Xia Yan confronts the pressures and uncertainties of youth; and A-Tian reveals a quiet yet resilient inner strength through empathy and companionship.
Featuring three restrained yet powerful post-90s actors, the film weaves a poetic portrait of encounter and growth through performances filled with vitality. Yang Zhihe delivers an authentic and nuanced portrayal of A-Fu, tracing the character’s emotional arc from rebellion to vulnerability. During production, Yang repeatedly refined physical movement and facial expression to embody the character’s internal logic, allowing the body itself to become part of the performance.
Fresh off winning the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress, Duan Aojuan brings a sun-lit presence to Xia Yan, blending the character’s hidden secrets with an unyielding inner resolve. In a pivotal scene, the director required “tears that shimmer but never fall”; Duan held emotion delicately in her eyes, capturing the girl’s restrained strength with remarkable precision.
Ken Matsuzawa—who previously captivated audiences at Cannes in Shoplifters (2018)—brings his distinctive sensitivity to the role of A-Tian, infusing the autistic character with profound warmth and emotional depth.
While portraying the dilemmas faced by Generation Z, Best Friend also conveys an affirmative message: every different soul deserves to be seen and understood, and sincere friendship is the most beautiful light capable of dissolving prejudice.
Drawing on years of volunteer work in autism support institutions, director Travis Song integrates firsthand observation into the film’s creation, presenting the autistic community with empathy and realism, and imbuing the work with genuine social concern.
The production team adopted an immersive approach—engaging with children in music-based rehabilitation programs, visiting autism advocacy organizations, and even entering the daily lives of families with “children of the stars.” Duan Aojuan personally participated in these experiences to better understand the community’s rich inner world. In addition, “Star Friend” Fu Enchao appears as himself as a band member, showcasing his musical and performance talents.
With deep respect for performance and subject matter alike, Best Friend transcends being merely a film—it becomes a warm bridge between two worlds. Given understanding and space, every life has the potential to shine in its own unique way.
In China, tens of millions of individuals on the autism spectrum continue to face social barriers shaped by misunderstanding and stigma. Through a youth-centered narrative, Best Friend brings this issue into public view with a clear message: it is okay to be vulnerable, but one must carry light. The film reveals the most moving duality of youth—embracing vulnerability as the courage to accept one’s true self, and holding onto light as the faith to release one’s singular value. Rather than celebrating idealized perfection, the film bears witness to authentic growth, encouraging every young person: there is no need to chase a standardized “coordinate.” Your very existence is already a light unlike any other.
