Chapter 240

These are already terrifying figures; Xu Can's film has almost turned the off-peak winter release slot into a summer one!

Not only did netizens praise it, but Luo Jie Ebert, known as "Xu Can's die-hard fan," also wrote an article reviewing this "Dying to Survive."

"This story is not merely about the protagonist fighting the social medical system, fighting large pharmaceutical companies, fighting life and death..."

"This film is also the protagonist's growth, from a selfish middle-aged man into a modern-day chivalrous hero."

"The East has had a spirit of chivalry since ancient times, similar to a superhero-style savior complex, which is fully embodied in the protagonist."

"Xu Can used calm, restrained camera work, and a performance that merged into the character's soul, to bring this story to life most vividly."

"In past films, one might have seen Xu Can showing off his skills, but the restraint in this film is the mark of his becoming a master."

"Additionally, the other characters in the film are all outstanding; none are thin paper cutouts, but living, breathing people with their own souls."

"I never expected China to secretly harbor so many excellent actors; Hollywood should feel a sense of crisis, otherwise, sticking to old ways will inevitably lead to being surpassed..."

"All in all, this is a film worth savoring, worth re-watching frame by frame, and worth sending to film schools."

"Xu, you did it! You are already a power to be reckoned with in Hollywood; the only regret now is that there is still a year until the next Oscars, so we cannot award you immediately."

Luo Jie Ebert's two thumbs up is also the consensus of all film critics.

Even if some negative critics like to nitpick and find minor flaws in the film,

it is undeniable that the film's core and its level of completion deserve high praise; even the most picky people would find it hard to dishonestly bash it.

The Rotten Tomatoes critic score also maintained a freshness rating of 90%,

and even though 2009 has just begun, it can already be confirmed that "Dying to Survive" will rank in the top 5, or even the top 3, of the year's best films!

In the blink of an eye, Xu Can's "Dying to Survive" surpassed 160 million US dollars, overtaking "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to firmly secure the number one spot for foreign-language films in box office revenue,

and the social issues triggered by the film are intensifying, something Xu Can did not anticipate!

"Is there no movement over there?"

"No, the media and public opinion are indeed discussing the Lu Yong case intensely, hoping for an explanation... unfortunately, there is no response from above for now."

Xu Can called producer Ning Hao to discuss domestic developments; the film seemed to have sparked some discussion, but it was not enough yet.

Since the mainland "Dying to Survive" box office reached 159 million after the first weekend, it has actually become uncontrollable during the Spring Festival slot!

Before the release, experts were still arguing that New Year's Eve should be for happy New Year films,

how could such a tear-jerking serious film achieve high box office returns?

But the experts ignored the mainland market's thirst for good stories.

Even though "Dying to Survive" has such a serious theme, the film's plot is full of ups and downs, serious but not boring, and strikes directly at the heart.

More and more people went to the cinemas during the New Year period, actually forcing the Spring Festival slot to become a hit!

Until the fourth and fifth days of the New Year, people were still queuing in the theaters to buy tickets, with the occupancy rate consistently maintained above 30%!

Even because of the popularity of "Dying to Survive," some platforms have started researching online seat selection and ticket purchasing models.

While "Dying to Survive" topped the North American market, it continuously broke through 200 million, 300 million, and 400 million in the mainland market,

and in less than a month, "Dying to Survive" miraculously surpassed 700 million RMB!

It became the craziest phenomenon-level film in recent years!

Previously, when "Spider-Man" surpassed "Titanic" in mainland box office to reach a new record of 600 million,

the media thought it could hold for 10 years,

but unexpectedly, it was easily broken in just two years by the biographical drama "Dying to Survive," and the numbers are still growing!

The potential of the Chinese film market shocked the experts!

"Could it be... the mainland box office ceiling can exceed 1 billion?"

The previous era where the highest was 400 million might now climb to over 1 billion!

Xu Can shocked the entire Chinese film circle once again!

"Let's not rush." Xu Can remained relatively calm, "After all, it's just a movie; it cannot sway the ideas on this aspect from above."

"How the Lu Yong case is ultimately decided still needs to be determined according to procedure; it cannot be controlled by public opinion."

"True, we can only provide entertainment; making money is enough."

Ning Hao also came to terms with it; through producing "Dying to Survive," his box office profit-sharing with Xu Can might even be higher than that of "Crazy Racer."

Even if "Crazy Racer" broke the 100 million box office mark, only 30 million would be given to the production company, and it would be hard for him to get even 10 million himself.

"Dying to Survive" is aiming for 1 billion!

Even if Xu Can lets just a tiny bit of the box office slip through his fingers, it would be enough for Ning Hao to make a fortune!

Ning Hao even began to doubt life itself; working himself to death making films in the Huayu circle might not be as good as following Xu Can and sipping soup.

The two chatted casually for a few moments before hanging up; Xu Can clicked around aimlessly on the webpage and saw many North American news stories emerging one after another.

Due to the influence of "Dying to Survive," while there was still no movement in China, the North American region launched a wave of protests against A first.

Countless patients suffering from terminal illnesses like AIDS, leukemia, and lung cancer took to the streets to protest the FDA's strict reviews, which prevented many life-saving drugs from becoming legal.

The North American public also faces the desperate situation of being unable to afford genuine drugs and unable to access generic ones.

Some media even mentioned Ron Woodroof from 1987, the founder of the "Dallas Buyers Club."

Like Cheng Yong, he exploited legal loopholes, selling generic drugs at low prices to save countless patients, while constantly fighting lawsuits against the FDA.

Until 2012 in the previous life, the FDA implemented new legislation, approving some breakthrough life-saving drugs.

Now, due to Xu Can's "Dying to Survive," North American society is widely discussing the FDA new drug approval legislation and clearing the name of the Dallas Buyers Club.

As "CNN News" stated:

"Xu Can's films always trigger large-scale reflection and discussion, but they fall far short of the influence of his new film."

"'Dying to Survive' might trigger a North American transformation; if the FDA legislation can be implemented, Xu Can will become the brightest name on the roll of merit! Erecting a bronze statue for him would not be an overstatement!"

"This is the most influential Chinese person in North America right now!"

Just as the relevant discussions in North America were intensifying, the media was in an uproar, and society was paying close attention, on the eve of the Oscars ceremony,

News finally came from Huaxia!

On the second day of the second month, the "Dragon Raises Its Head" festival, the box office of *Medicine God* broke through the 800 million mark! Lu Yong was acquitted!