Gritty science fiction tale “Under the Burning Sun” features a bold feminist story with a visual style that’s both stunning and unforgettable. Writer / director Yun Xie’s film is a tale about survival, bodily autonomy, sexual assault, and the fight for freedom in a world where women are stripped of their choices. Right from the start, you’re pulled into this bleak but beautifully shot desert landscape, and it’s clear that this isn’t just another sci-fi film, but a valiant political statement, too.
Mowanza (Stephanie Pardi) is facing an unwanted pregnancy in a place where abortion is illegal. Armed with only a half-full water bottle and a beat-up car, she decides to make her way to Iropus, a country with more lenient abortion laws. Her journey is anything but easy. Along the way, she meets other women who are trapped in their own struggles, from Mavis (Stevie Kincheloe), who is stuck in an abusive relationship, to a little girl she briefly feels connected to. Every encounter Mowanza has is a painful reminder of how little control she has over her life, and the story dives deep into the rawness of that helplessness.
Tianyi Wang’s apocalyptic cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Every shot feels purposeful, like it’s part of Mowanza’s emotional journey. The desert is vast, lonely, and almost suffocating, which reflects her feelings of being trapped in a world that doesn’t respect her choices. You feel the heat, the isolation, and the overwhelming weight of everything she’s going through. It’s intense, and it’s beautifully done.
Pardi brings so much raw emotion to her character, with anger, grief, and resilience that feel so real. Mowanza’s whole life has been about surviving without having any say in what happens to her, and Pardi shows that struggle in a heartbreaking but powerful way. The film doesn’t shy away from the brutality of its story, and Pardi is up to the task as an actor.
The unflinching social commentary makes Xie’s storytelling stronger. The film doesn’t shy away from how oppressive and unfair the world can be to women, especially when it comes to issues like abortion and reproductive rights. This is a violent journey that makes a powerful point about how society keeps pushing women down and taking away their collective voice.
Raw and emotional, “Under the Burning Sun” makes you think. The visuals are amazing, the performances are top-notch, and it has something important to say about the struggles women face every day. It’s a heavy film, but one that encourages debate, discussion, and reflection.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 