Description |
1 online resource (1 video file (87 min.)) |
Series |
Asian film online |
Summary |
Go For Broke is based on a 1998 true story of six Shanghai people who reinvent their lives after being laid off by state-owned companies. The film is acted by the real people who lived this story. The filmmaker tells us at the beginning that this is a docudrama, with scenes filmed where they actually happened. The characters wear their own clothes and no make up, he says. Fascinated by this true story, director Wang Guangli, a former psychology professor, wanted to have the characters re-enact what actually took place when the friends formed an apartment decoration/construction company as a venture in China's promotion of social capitalism, or go-for-broke business. The six characters work hard, wanting to make it big on their own. They are led by Zhang Baozhong, an optimist who lost his job at a state-owned shipbuilding company several years before. He borrows a bundle of cash to start his company in the private sector and convinces his friends to jump in with him. Despite cash flow problems, more loans and a risky renovations project, they are doing well when a scam nearly bankrupts their company. But fate is kind and deals the group a winning lottery ticket. This sets in motion their true-to-life happy ending, and a surprising twist. Made as a low-budget film, it was shot in 35mm in 12 days, without lights or set design |
Notes |
Title from resource description page (viewed Aug. 6, 2013) |
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This docudrama continues to make the film festival rounds, including Vancouver and Rotterdam |
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This edition in Mandarin with English subtitles |
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Won 2001 Vancouver International Film Festival, Dragons and Tigers Award |
Subject |
Feature films.
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Motion pictures, Chinese.
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Feature films.
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880-02 Motion pictures, Chinese.
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880-02/$1 中国电影.
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Genre/Form |
Feature films.
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故事片.
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Feature films.
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Form |
Streaming video
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Author |
Wang, Guangli, 1966- film director.
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王光利, 1966- film director.
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Gu, Longxiang, actor.
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顾龙祥, actor.
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Zhang, Baozhong, actor.
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张宝忠, actor.
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Zhao, Yongshen, actor.
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赵永生, actor.
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