Dying to Survive

Synopsis

Directed by Wen Muye, starring Xu Zheng and Wang Chuanjun. Based on true events, a shop owner smuggles generic cancer drugs from India to save leukemia patients. Douban 9.0. Box office 3.1B RMB.

Overview

"Dying to Survive" (Chinese: 我不是药神) is a 2018 Chinese realist drama film directed by Wen Muye, written by Han Jianv, produced by Ning Hao and Xu Zheng, and starring Xu Zheng, Wang Chuanjun, Zhou Yiwei, Tan Zhuo, and Zhang Yu. The film premiered on July 5, 2018, with a runtime of 117 minutes and a production budget of approximately 70 million RMB.

Based on true events, the film tells the story of Cheng Yong, an ordinary health supplement shop owner who becomes a "medicine god" by smuggling generic cancer drugs from India. With sharp social realism, the film exposes the survival dilemma faced by Chinese chronic myeloid leukemia patients confronted with exorbitantly priced name-brand drugs, and the profound conflict between law and human compassion.

"Dying to Survive" achieved remarkable success both commercially and critically. Its domestic box office reached approximately 3.1 billion RMB, an extraordinary return on a 70 million investment. It holds a Douban rating of 9.0, setting the highest rating record for a Chinese film in 16 years and earning a permanent place in the Douban Top 250. Beyond its excellence as cinema, the film catalyzed public discourse about healthcare reform in China and is widely regarded as one of the finest Chinese realist films of the past two decades.

Plot Synopsis

Cheng Yong (Xu Zheng) is an ordinary middle-aged man running a struggling health supplement shop. His wife wants a divorce, his father is seriously ill and needs surgery money. By chance, a chronic myeloid leukemia patient named Lu Shouyi (Wang Chuanjun) approaches him, asking him to help procure a generic version of the cancer drug Gleevec from India. The name-brand drug costs 23,500 RMB per bottle in China, while the Indian generic costs only 500 RMB.

Initially motivated by profit, Cheng Yong is gradually moved by the desperation of patients who cannot afford their medication. He begins large-scale procurement of Indian generics, selling them at low prices and becoming a "medicine god" in the eyes of the patient community. However, the legal risks mount as police investigations and pharmaceutical company pressure intensify. Cheng Yong is eventually forced to stop, and patients are thrown back into despair.

The film's most devastating moment comes after Lu Shouyi's suicide. Witnessing his friend's death, Cheng Yong resumes smuggling — this time not for profit, but selling at cost or even at a loss to keep patients alive. Ultimately, Cheng Yong is arrested for smuggling. In court, the prosecutor does not seek a heavy sentence, and the judge shows leniency. In the final scene, as Cheng Yong is released from prison, Lu Shouyi's widow is there to meet him, and Gleevec has been added to the national insurance coverage.

Cast

Social Significance

The social significance of "Dying to Survive" extends far beyond cinema:

Driving Healthcare Reform: The film sparked nationwide public attention to the problem of expensive cancer drugs. In 2018, the Chinese government accelerated the implementation of zero-tariff policies for cancer drugs and added multiple cancer medications to the national insurance catalog. While these policy changes were not directly caused by the film, it undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping public discourse.

Based on True Events: The film is inspired by the "Lu Yong case." Lu Yong, a CML patient, was arrested for smuggling Indian generics. Over a thousand patients signed a petition pleading for leniency, and the prosecutor ultimately decided not to press charges. The film adapted the real events with artistic enhancements to heighten dramatic tension.

Law vs. Humanity: The film's core tension lies in the conflict between law and compassion. Smuggling generic drugs is legally a crime, but for patients who cannot afford name-brand medication, it is their only hope of survival. The film does not demonize law enforcement but instead shows the dilemma faced by everyone within the system.

Breakthrough Performances: Wang Chuanjun lost 10 kg in a short period to portray the emaciated Lu Shouyi. Zhang Yu's silent portrayal of "Yellow Hair" is deeply moving. Xu Zheng transcended his established comedic image to deliver a performance of profound dramatic depth.

Cultural Impact

"Dying to Survive" has had a wide-ranging cultural impact:

Revival of Chinese Realist Cinema: The film's success proved that Chinese audiences would embrace serious realist subjects, breaking the monopoly of big-budget commercial spectacles and paving the way for subsequent successes like "The Wandering Earth" and "No More Bets."

"He's only 20 years old. He just wants to live. What crime is that?": This line became one of the most influential movie quotes of 2018, triggering deep reflection across Chinese society about medical equity and the right to life.

The Producer Model: Ning Hao and Xu Zheng's "Bad Monkey 72 Transformations Film Project" demonstrated through this film that the model of emerging directors paired with experienced producers could achieve both commercial and artistic success, providing a replicable template for the industry.

International Attention: The film was selected for multiple international film festivals, showcasing Chinese cinema's courage and artistry in confronting social issues.

References

1. Douban - Dying to Survive https://movie.douban.com/subject/26752088/
2. Wikipedia - Dying to Survive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying_to_Survive
3. Baidu Baike - Dying to Survive https://baike.baidu.com/item/我不是药神/22485219