Jia
Ling

Going into February 2021’s Chinese New Year holiday, few imagined that “Hi, Mom” — a feature from first-time director Jia with a relatively unknown cast — would become one of the world’s biggest dark-horse hits of the year. Even main backer Beijing Culture bet against it, selling off most of its stake in the reportedly $62 million-budgeted project. But the hilarious tear-jerker about Jia traveling back in time to befriend her deceased mother warmed enough hearts to surpass all expectations, earning more than $800 million in an extended three-month run in China that surpassed Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” to make Jia the world’s highest-grossing female director for a single film. Expect much to come from her prodco Big Bowl in the future.