Sunshine Women’s Choir

Heartbreakingly sincere, Sunshine Women’s Choir is a charming movie that tells the tale of mothers and daughters. It follows Hui-zhen (Ivy Chen), a prisoner serving time for killing her husband. She lives with four other inmates and gives birth to her daughter, Yun-shi; the dynamic within their dorm shifts with the arrival of a newcomer, You-xin (Ho Man-xi). Young and fearless, You-xin lives a life of devastation as a result of her mother’s greed. Her presence antagonises the group, projecting her resentment onto Hui-zhen, who’s raising Yun-shi in prison.

A fight breaks out, leading to a series of accidents that send Yun-shi, You-xin, and the resident grandmother of their dorm, Yu-ying (Judy Ongg), to the hospital, where several revelations are uncovered. Yun-shi is sick, and life in prison cannot facilitate her care. This leaves Hui-zhen no other choice but to send her away earlier than expected. As a form of goodbye, Hui-zhen rallies her dormmates, and together with some other enthusiastic inmates, they create the Sunshine Women’s Choir, striving to perform one last time for Yun-shi.

The cast of Sunshine Women’s Choir is deeply affecting – each with unique and endearing qualities. There’s nuance in their presentation, with the feature exploring themes of sisterhood, prison hierarchies and hazing culture. Even when an individual starts as a detestable bully, their stories and burgeoning friendship with the protagonists captivate the audience; a sensation beautifully summarised by Hui-zhen when she says: “No matter who we were before, I’m happy to know who you are now.”

This motif of forgiveness not only extends to the interpersonal relationships between the inmates, but also through the lens of family and the self. This is especially true for Yu-ying. Once a famous singer, her husband’s abuse led her to make a life-altering decision that caused harm to her daughter. Ashamed and riddled with guilt, she has given up on music – until the Sunshine Women’s Choir gives her another chance. Yu-ying, Hui-zhen and You-xin share the common thread of these complex mother-daughter dynamics, with their imprisonment tied to their experiences of male abuse. This connection between the three becomes the centrepiece of the picture, best expressed in the hug they share after You-xin meets her mother for the first time.

Sunshine Women’s Choir focuses heavily on memories and the hopes of never being forgotten. The opening sequence begins with shots of random memorabilia, foreshadowing their later significance to the plot. Names and titles follow this same throughline of remembrance – the inmates are referred to by their numbers. This raises questions about human rights, especially for those in prison. While the film never delves too deeply into the intricacies of that debate, the emotional impact lingers. These darker tones are anchored by lighthearted comedic moments, presenting a sense of hope for the characters and viewers alike. Gavin Lin’s film celebrates found families in both the literal and figurative sense, amidst tear-jerking music laced with sentimental lyricism.