CNBC AI News report on May 18 — As the 78th Cannes Film Festival unveiled its latest cinematic marvels, an unexpected duo commanded global attention: 61-year-old director尹丽川 and the real-life trailblazer who inspired the acclaimed drama “Her Road Ahead” – Suli Min, the now-legendary Chinese grandmother who reclaimed her life at the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo.
What began as a seemingly modest escape in 2020 has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon spanning continents. Over five years and 200,000 kilometers across China’s vast landscapes, Min has emerged as a symbol challenging conventional narratives around aging, gender roles, and personal reinvention in Asia’s $400 billion outbound travel market.
“Walking the Croisette feels like stepping into an alternate reality,” Min admitted during an exclusive red-carpet interview. “But if an ordinary woman from Zhengzhou can resonate with millions, imagine the untapped stories waiting to be told.”
Behind the cinematic glamor lies aching authenticity. Min’s journey started violently, with tears streaming down her face as she merged onto the expressway carrying only dried noodles, pickled vegetables and weathered suitcase straps. Her now-iconic mantra “It’s my time to live for myself” would soon propel her “Wanderlust Diary” blog to 10 million+ views, penning a new chapter for China’s maturing Gen-Z content economy.
The film adaptation’s commercial success – grossing $15 million domestically – reflects broader shifts in entertainment consumption: authentic narratives from underrepresented demographics now drive 62% of Asia’s indie film growth, according to Silver Screen Analytics. “This isn’t just a personal odyssey,” Min observes. “It’s about rewriting the rules of what constitutes ‘normal’ life choices after 40.”
Min’s January 2025 “single again” proclamation on China’s WeChat platform proved as consequential as her first drive. Industry insiders cite her emergence as evidence of shifting mindset among Chinese women aged 45-60, with 38% increasing personal spending post-retirement (Nielsen 2024 Women’s Economic Index).
When questioned about representing Chinese women in the spotlight, Min delivers her retort with trademark pragmatism: “I’ve driven every kilometer myself – outrunning most millennials’ GPS skills. This world needs more evidence that happiness has no expiration date.”
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