Chapter 235

"Everyone, watch carefully!"

He whispered a warning, and the two only then calmed down a bit.

Regarding the protagonist's setting, Xu Can did not simply copy the original "Dying to Survive".

The original protagonist, Cheng Yong, sold Indian god oil, which indeed carried strong dramatic tension,

evolving from a carefree, dismissive attitude toward others at the start to later saving patients and squandering his fortune to help others.

This character possessed a complete arc, fitting the basic techniques of filmmaking.

However, this also deviated from the real-life prototype, Lu Yong, leading Lu Yong's family to later file a lawsuit in court, claiming the film slandered Lu Yong.

Here, Xu Can intended to respect the prototype, setting the protagonist Cheng Yong as a small boss in the textile business.

Suffering from leukemia, his survival instinct drove him to buy sky-high priced medicine for treatment, exhausting his family's wealth.

Currently, he barely supports his family through the textile shop, relying on connections on the Indian side for occasional export deals.

Life was quite impoverished; besides caring for the children, his wife also worked part-time jobs.

Only the partial furniture and household items visible amidst the clutter proved this family had once been wealthy.

Through simple dialogues with the landlord, clients, wife, and children at the beginning, the protagonist Cheng Yong's backstory was fully established.

It shaped an image of someone who had lost hope in life and was numb to everything.

Both versions had their pros and cons; Xu Can's version was simply more realistic,

using perfect cinematography to extract delicate emotions from the mundane,

so that even North American audiences could quickly empathize with the protagonist and not feel bored.

"I finally understand Xu Can's strength."

Veteran film critic Roger Ebert was also present at the premiere; after watching only the opening, he felt quite shocked.

Previously, he always thought that whether acting or directing, Xu Can was skilled at using special effects and grand scenes to attract attention, thus earning the title "King of Box Office Gold".

Even "La La Land" featured handsome dance sequences and outstanding song segments.

But today's "Dying to Survive" had no gimmicks, only the most ordinary characters and story.

Yet it managed to generate even stronger appeal than before!

"This is master-level work! I still underestimated him!"

Film critic William, who had once written articles to blacken Xu Can, was equally shocked and nodded repeatedly.

"Exactly! He brings new surprises every time!"

Outsiders watch the spectacle, insiders understand the craft; the critics present were already sitting upright, observing Xu Can's work with an attitude of academic research.

Due to long-term consumption of imported medicine, the store operated at a loss; the protagonist Cheng Yong fought the disease daily, dragging his family into suffering.

One day, Cheng Yong was calculating how to sell the store to gather some money for his wife and children,

and then find a way to end his life, putting an end to everything.

The landlord led a young man wearing a mask, refined in manner and thin in build, into the shop.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to urge you to pay rent; this young man has something to ask of you."

"What could he possibly want from me?" Cheng Yong still looked lifeless.

"He is also my tenant, Lu Shouyi. I heard you sometimes go to India and wanted to ask for your help bringing back some medicine."

"Smuggling? No, no." Cheng Yong instinctively refused.

He was already planning to end his life; he had no desire to go to a place like India, let alone risk bringing trouble to his family.

However, the landlord meant well, introducing business to Cheng Yong to help him pay rent once he had money.

Through the glass, Lu Shouyi bowed and scraped, carefully removing his three-layer mask, revealing a withered face.

His small movements inevitably moved the audience; this person was certainly no ordinary one.

"Have an orange."

Cheng Yong had originally looked down on Lu Shouyi, wanting only to dismiss him quickly.

But hearing that the price of the generic medicine was only 2,000 yuan, nearly one-twentieth of the genuine drug, he felt tempted.

His own condition happened to require this very medicine!

He could not afford the genuine drug at all; relying on the generic might keep him alive, and selling it to others could earn him money too!

So Cheng Yong tentatively traveled to India and contacted the Indian generic medicine manufacturer.

The factory owner looked at Cheng Yong: "Do you want to be a savior?"

Cheng Yong sneered: "I just want to save my own life and make some money along the way. Life is money."

At that moment, he was like Walter White in "Breaking Bad"; his initial goal was simple: for himself and his family.

He had no time to consider the lives or deaths of others.

After obtaining the generic medicine from India, to sell more, Cheng Yong and Lu Shouyi found the leader of the patient group, Liu Sihui, who currently worked as a dancer in a nightclub.

The dancer portrayed by Song Qian indeed performed pole dancing that was sensual,

but she did so to save her child, forced by life's hardships.

The acting of Wang Chuanjun and Song Qian added much color to this realistic film.

Later came the pastor and the little yellow-haired boy.

Zhang Yu and Teacher Yang Xinmin also delivered outstanding performances.

They all vividly displayed the bitter struggles of small people in a devouring society, leaving viewers sighing with emotion.

The entire cast exchanged acting prowess; even North Americans who were not fond of foreign films were deeply attracted by the plot!

Let alone the Chinese audiences far in the East!

When the medicine-selling team was fully assembled, each fulfilling their role and earning their first pot of gold,

It gives a strong sense of "Urban Thieves" and "Ocean's Eleven"!

A serious film with a breakthrough narrative, lacking intense conflict or grand scenes, yet somehow feels like a feel-good blockbuster?

Audiences in both North America and Huaxia find it unbelievable!

"I declare this the best film of the year."

Famous film critic Luo Jie, having seen only half, sighed with emotion.

"I agree too. This is the finest foreign film I've ever seen! Huaxia cinema is KickAss! So awesome!"

William's gaze fixed tightly on the screen, fearing he might miss any detail of this masterpiece!