Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh is making her return to Chinese-language cinema with It’s My Time, an uplifting comedy inspired by a remarkable true story of resilience, determination and lifelong learning.
The film follows Zhao Yanhong, portrayed by Yeoh, an elderly woman who moves into a nursing home after falling ill. While adjusting to her new surroundings, she discovers an unexpected passion for solving the Rubik’s Cube after attending lessons conducted by a young instructor, played by Liu Haoran.
Gifted with a natural talent for speedcubing, Zhao soon catches the attention of a talent agency determined to transform her into an internet sensation. As she endures intensive training sessions lasting up to 18 hours a day, the pressure begins to take a toll on her physically and emotionally. However, with unwavering determination and the support of her young mentor, Zhao rediscovers her confidence and returns to competitive speedcubing on her own terms.
Ahead of its release, the film held its Beijing premiere earlier this month, attended by Yeoh, the cast and crew, as well as Zhao Wenying, the real-life Rubik’s Cube enthusiast whose extraordinary journey inspired the story.
Born in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, Zhao, now 70, was formerly a mathematics teacher. She first learned to solve the Rubik’s Cube in 2014 after her granddaughter introduced her to the puzzle. Using online tutorials, Zhao taught herself advanced solving techniques and steadily honed her skills.
Her dedication led to remarkable achievements. In 2021, at the age of 65, Zhao became the world’s oldest person to earn the professional B-level speedcubing certification. She also holds the world record in the over-60 category for solving a standard 3×3 Rubik’s Cube while blindfolded, completing the challenge in just three minutes and 33 seconds.
Watching the film for a second time during the premiere, Zhao said she was deeply moved by its heartfelt portrayal of family bonds, mentorship and perseverance.
“I feel very fortunate that my story has inspired such a wonderful movie,” she said.
Yeoh said Zhao’s inspiring journey had also left a lasting impact on her.
“Her story gave me hope and the courage to keep acting,” Yeoh said. “Life is like a Rubik’s Cube. It takes courage to scramble it and wisdom to put it back together. As long as you never give up, you can always rely on yourself to create endless possibilities.”
It’s My Time is scheduled to open in cinemas across mainland China on July 3, bringing an inspiring message that it is never too late to discover a new passion and embrace life’s unexpected opportunities.
