Title: The Faces of My Gene: A Hilarious yet Profound Journey Through Chinese Family Lore
As global audiences increasingly crave narratives that blend humor with cultural authenticity, The Faces of My Gene (2018), directed by Guo Degang—China’s legendary crosstalk comedian—offers a refreshingly original take on comedy, heritage, and self-discovery. Starring Yue Yunpeng and featuring an ensemble cast including Wu Jing, Lin Chi-ling, and Zhang Guoli, this film transcends the label of a “mere comedy” to deliver a witty, visually inventive exploration of identity and ancestry. For international viewers seeking a gateway into China’s comedic traditions and evolving cinematic ambitions, here’s why The Faces of My Gene deserves your attention.
- A Genre-Bending Narrative: Comedy Meets Time-Travel Fantasy
At its core, The Faces of My Gene follows Bei Ergou (Yue Yunpeng), a struggling writer ridiculed for his appearance. Determined to alter his genetic fate, he embarks on a time-travel quest to meddle with his ancestors’ romantic choices, hoping to “optimize” his family tree. This premise—part Back to the Future, part It’s a Wonderful Life—uses absurdity to tackle universal themes: societal beauty standards, self-acceptance, and the weight of familial legacy.
Unlike typical slapstick comedies, the film layers its humor with historical satire. Bei’s encounters with ancestors spanning dynasties—from a timid Qin-era scholar to a flamboyant Qing-dynasty opera singer—highlight how cultural values (and comedic tropes) have evolved. Director Guo cleverly subverts expectations: a scene where Bei tries to sabotage a Tang-dynasty poet’s love life by quoting Shakespearean sonnets becomes a riotous clash of Eastern and Western romantic ideals .
- Guo Degang’s Redemption: From “King of Flops” to Auteur
Guo Degang, renowned for revitalizing xiangsheng (crosstalk comedy), has long been criticized for his acting roles in lowbrow comedies. With The Faces of My Gene, however, he steps into the director’s chair for the first time, declaring: “If this is still called a bad film, I’ll accept it” . The result is a surprisingly cohesive vision that merges his trademark wit with cinematic ambition.
The film’s production design deserves special praise. Each historical era is rendered with meticulous detail: Han dynasty robes flow with silk embroidery, while Republican-era Shanghai glitters with Art Deco flair. Yet Guo injects anachronistic humor—a Ming-dynasty ancestor using a abacus to calculate “likes” on social media—to remind viewers that history is both a mirror and a playground .
- Yue Yunpeng: The Everyman’s Hero in a Looks-Obsessed World
Yue Yunpeng, a rising star in Chinese comedy, delivers a career-defining performance. His portrayal of Bei Ergou—a character mocked for his “unlucky face”—resonates in a society increasingly obsessed with appearance. In one poignant scene, Bei stares at a mirror, muttering: “If I can’t change my face, maybe I can change my roots.” This line encapsulates the film’s deeper critique of China’s burgeoning cosmetic surgery industry and the paradox of self-reinvention.
The supporting cast elevates the absurdity. Wu Jing, known for his Wolf Warrior heroics, appears as a sword-wielding ancestor who mistakes Bei for a demon—a meta-joke about typecasting. Lin Chi-ling’s cameo as a Qing-dynasty beauty, meanwhile, contrasts Yue’s everyman charm with ethereal elegance, underscoring the film’s theme of beauty as both privilege and prison .
- Cultural Satire: Punching Up, Not Down
Guo’s comedy has always thrived on social commentary, and The Faces of My Gene is no exception. The film skewers modern China’s contradictions: a Song-dynasty ancestor’s bureaucratic obsession mirrors today’s rigid corporate hierarchies, while a Republican-era storyline mocks the blind idolization of Western trends.
One standout sequence involves Bei advising a Tang-dynasty ancestor to “monetize his poetry” through merch and livestreams—a jab at China’s influencer culture. Yet the satire never feels mean-spirited; Guo’s affection for his characters shines through. As Bei learns, fixing the past isn’t about erasing flaws but embracing the chaotic beauty of human imperfection .
- A Bridge Between Tradition and Modernity
For international audiences, the film serves as a primer on Chinese humor. Guo incorporates xiangsheng’s verbal sparring and historical puns, while action scenes parody wuxia (martial arts) tropes. When Bei accidentally invents kung fu during a Han-dynasty brawl, the scene becomes a love letter to both tradition and absurdity.
The film’s bilingual wordplay also delights. The English title, The Faces of My Gene, cleverly nods to genetics and societal “face” (mianzi), a Confucian concept of social prestige. Meanwhile, ancestors debate whether “emoji” qualifies as poetry—a jest at language’s evolving role in the digital age .
- Why Global Audiences Should Watch
- Cultural Literacy: The film offers insights into China’s comedy renaissance, where millennials blend internet memes with ancient traditions.
- Visual Innovation: Its vibrant palette and CGI-enhanced historical settings rival Hollywood period dramas.
- Universal Themes: From body image struggles to intergenerational healing, the story transcends borders.
- Guo Degang’s Comeback: Witness a comedic legend redefine his artistry beyond crosstalk stages.
Conclusion: More Than a Laugh Riot
-The Faces of My Gene* is a testament to Chinese cinema’s growing confidence in blending local flavors with global appeal. By turns uproarious and introspective, it challenges viewers to laugh at life’s absurdities while cherishing the messy, unoptimized threads of our ancestry. As Bei ultimately learns: “A family tree isn’t about pretty leaves—it’s about the roots that let us grow wild.”
For foreign audiences, this film isn’t just a comedy; it’s an invitation to explore China’s rich comedic heritage and the universal quest for belonging. As the credits roll, you’ll leave not just with sore cheeks from laughter, but a renewed appreciation for the stories—and faces—that shape us all.