User reviews

This is one of the best Chinese movies in history. The film discusses the grey areas under Chinese drug control and the boundary between law and human feelings. The whole movie has promoted the Chinese society's reflection on the control of drugs for the treatment of severe diseases and the excessively high price. to some extent, it also satirizes the inadequacy of the Chinese government in related issues. in fact, after the movie hit, people enthusiastically discussed related issues on the internet, which has also prompted the Chinese government to further make more positive changes to the inadequacy of current drug control. Such movie themes are rare under the current control system of the Chinese government for movie and TV creation themes. I don't understand at all that one of the comments written by IMDB user thebigsick thinks that the theme of this movie is a cliche, and even thinks that this movie has won good public praise and attention purely by means of propaganda and hype. Sorry, I can't understand why you think that way. The theme of this movie alone is worth thumbs up. Almost all Chinese movies will use a lot of online publicity before and at the beginning of their release. this is a commercial movie, there is no problem with doing so. However, not all movies will gain a good reputation because of hype. if the movie itself is very bad, and only depends on a lot of publicity and hype in the early stage. in less than three days, it will get a lot of bad reviews. Because the audience is not a fool. This movie scored 8.9 points on the well-known Chinese film review website douban movie ( you can understand it as China's IMDB, douban movie is a platform with a lot of credibility in China. many people will refer to douban's score before deciding whether to spend money on a movie,only a very small number of Chinese movies can score more than 7 points on douban ).Within a week of this movie's release, it has accumulated 1.8 billion RMB ( about 27 million us dollars ) in box office. Whether you like it or not, this proves that it is a good movie. So the user thebigsick didn't understand the real meaning of this movie at all, or why Chinese people think it is a good movie.

Not a beautiful story, but it is one of my favourite Chinese movies so far, From what I know, this one is based on a real story with some rearrangement. Xu Zheng and Ning Hao are very creative filmers. Constrained by the influence Chinese government, a lot of themes are not allowed to be filmed in mainland China. However, this one obviously neatly sidestepped the conflicts with government.

A good movie. Some clever parts and an unusual set of characters make for a good watch. I recommend this movie. Some cliche parts but it's based on a true story so fair enough. Quite a feel good movie with some roller coaster emotional parts. Best movie I've seen in a while. Having said that it's not exactly phenomenal or to be held up against the greats but forgetting comparison with other better movies it does well as a standalone movie.

Common story for most poor families, cannot afford drug price, finding their own ways to survive. It's illegal but understandable. Drug monopolies like Novartis are way more evil than Monsanto.

Dying to Survive, a 2018 Chinese drama based on the real-life story of Lu Yong, a Chinese leukemia patient who bought cheap cancer medicine from India for 1000 Chinese cancer sufferers in 2004. It's called a comedy-drama but there's just a little comic relief in an otherwise very serious movie. It's also called a noir comedy, which gives a greater idea what you're in for. It's very moving and realistic. The film is loosely based on the story of Lu, who has been regarded as a hero of sorts for importing and selling less expensive anticancer drugs from India to Chinese for CML patients charged huge prices by a Swiss pharmaceutical giant.

It's a shame that this movie doesn't get the international recognition that it deserves. Because unaffordable medicine is a global problem not that of China alone. It's also a problem in first world countries even those with a sophisticated welfare system. It just so happens that it hits third world countries harder because of the wealth gap.

Pharmaceutical companies, mostly western ones holds a monopoly position in the industry and claims that the high costs is needed to fund research of new medicine. How much of that is true is to be debated. Especially when most pharmaceutical companies are listed in the stock exchange, one is left to wonder why the funds for research cannot be collected through stock and shares. And the assumption is easily made that most of the money goes directly as profit into the pockets of the management. Earning money over the bodies of others as they say....

Well done of these chinese film producers to make this issue go public and open for debate, and many other countries should be ashamed for not addressing this subject. The movie is very raw and well shot, with some comedic elements and some very emotional scenes. All of the actors brought their A game and it made you feel as if you were watching a documentary instead of dramatic version of the story which is based on real event.

The overal message is clear, sometimes one have no choice to go against the mainstream, in order to do some good. For all the people concerned they meant well.

Combined with partial reality, with great written and brilliant acting, one of the best films I've ever seen in recent years. Lots of emotional and powerful scenes, recommend for those who would appreciate really good drama/featured films.

It's not related to the politic correctness of Chinese government. It's just the trade-off between the pharmaceutical companies and the patients.

Higher drug price -> Companies gets more money -> More drug researched -> better drug produced and the old drug price drop. It is a chain of the free market in theory.However, that's why the theory is always in theory.

Yes we will finally get the market balance of the drug price when the drug matches the average buying power. However, how many people would die before and after it? Can we really put the lives and souls onto the balance?

Was it worth it? (Yes you are right, I am playing Frostpunk:)

"Intellectual Property" is not an inherent natural right; nowadays, its protection in commercial activities is meant to compensate for intellectual labor and incentivize innovation. Developing new drugs incurs high costs, and recouping those expenses during the patent protection period provides the motivation for companies to continue their research. However, after the protection period expires, other pharmaceutical companies can produce a large number of generic drugs, leading to a significant drop in drug prices.

Reasonable intellectual property protection strikes a balance between encouraging innovation and widespread dissemination of achievements. Yet, if handled improperly, it can become a thorny issue. Neglecting intellectual property protection for the sake of "reckless development" may lead to a "counterfeit society," putting everyone at risk. Additionally, exploiting certain clauses may create "intellectual property barriers" that hinder technological advancement. These are all aspects worth contemplating beyond the excitement of watching the movie.

This is a realistic movie from China.Realistic meaning is greater than the movie itself.That dying to survive represents the movie theme.the contest between emotion and law,which is a lasting and sharp topic.To a large extent,the theme's overcoming influences and promotes the development of Chinese movies.

"Wo Bu Shi Yao Shen" (aka "Dying to Survive") was a movie that I hadn't even heard about as I came across it by random chance in 2022. And the movie's synopsis, mixed with this being a comedy, seemed like an interesting combination. So of course I sat down to watch what writers Jianv Han, Muye Wen and Wei Zhong had to offer.

I will say that "Wo Bu Shi Yao Shen" had potential, and the movie was pretty adequate for the first hour, give or take, but then the movie started lose momentum and became a sluggish narrative. It was so difficult to sit through the movie after that point.

Now, I wasn't familiar with the cast that portrayed the characters in "Wo Bu Shi Yao Shen", but they definitely had an interesting cast ensemble for the movie, and they put on good performances.

There was untapped potential in "Wo Bu Shi Yao Shen", and director Muye Wen seemed to drop the ball about halfway through the movie, and never really managed to pick it back up and bring it to the goal line.

If you enjoy Asian movies then "Wo Bu Shi Yao Shen" is not really one that is worth taking the time to rush out to get to see. Sit down and watch it, perhaps, if you have nothing better at hand. I know, however, for a fact, that I will not be returning to this movie a second time.

My rating of "Wo Bu Shi Yao Shen" lands on a four out of ten stars.

You can tell it is a good movie by ratings, reviews, word of mouths. But you can only tell a great movie by watching it yourself. Because that is the only way it can touch your heart.

And there is no less touching my heart in this movie. All the characters are believable. None of them is perfect, all of them are plain mediocre, some even "bad" on an average scale. However, they show such a harmony and understanding among all of them, you see a unity that quiet but enduring.

The main character went through a rough road of emotional change through the incidents. The moment he came back and decided on the price of the medicine, I saw something in his eye. Something that only someone believes can have. Everything after that is just continuation of that moment, driving by the same belief all these people have.

And who are these people that have such a power after all? I ask myself. Well, my answer is simple, it is everyone, including you and me. Just when we believe.

This is the best movie I have ever seen in China about social conflicts in modern time. I am so glad to see the the young director who is as old as me, daring to challenge the authority's strict review process to reveal something truly matters for people. For a young director who just starts his career, if the movie is banned to go to the theatre, it means the end of his career and he will lose all the trust from the investors. And probably never has the chance to make movies again. However, he chooses to insist on something he believes that truly matters.

It's a very profound movie shows some hidden problem in China. Very surprised under such censorship we can still uncover this grey area out in China. Love this kind of not-so-fancy but meaningful film that you will keep thinking after watching.

This film changed my perception towards Xu Zheng as he delivers a truly powerful performance. No doubt the powerful subject helps him, as this is a great story to be made into a film. A milestone movie for China as the subject is impactful and authentic (mostly), and most importantly allowed to be shown. The character development is also very well done and supported by a cast of memorable co-stars. A movie that does not try to reach the stars, and just really wants to tell a great story in its own ways, something many other Chinese films needs to learn from.

Not until today did I see this movie. I believe it is going to become a new milestone of China's film industry. The director got his target. Deeply attracting the audience with its touching,humorous and even urban plots. With the actor like Xuzheng and Wangchuanjun representing so perfectly small characters when they are facing choices mattering lives. Thank you all.

This is a movie about how much patents and pharmaceutics can be over the life of people. It has a good message and critic about most countries health systems, government and market. It´s based on a real story, so, this is a relevant movie. Easy to watch, you wont be bored.

Antiheroes are unusual in Chinese movie but this movie's main character, Yong, was a scoundrel smuggler and accidentally became a hero. This movie actually focuses on and not just Chinese medicine problem. It's about humanity and trade-off between legal principles and moral conscience. The theme could be better if it revealed deeper problems but I think it's good enough. Plus I really enjoy the typical Chinese humor.

An easy watch but painful portrayal of sickness, poverty, and corruption. Two hours went by so fast as I swallow the hard pill that tragedy is truly everywhere and in everyone. I am a bit lost for words because we also suffer hell from incompetent and greedy governance. It might not be the same as CML but it kills people all the same. I am really angered by this movie not because of its quality- but because I was reminded that poverty is never a choice for the poor but a selfish act of the rich. Getting treated is nothing but a privileged of the few. It's utterly despicable! Now, more than ever, I am empowered to turn this hatred into actions and continuously demand accountability for all the inhumane acts of society. Thanks to Lu/Chen Yong's kindness and bravery! May the world be full of him.

Ok, that's very nice. I love the movie which name wo bu shi yao shen .

It reminds me of Nietzsche's book "Jenseits von Gut und Böse" (beyond good and evil). To understand China and the Chinese people, as well as all the people in developing countries in general, this film is a must, particularly for future business leaders.

Synopsis: Yong (courage in Chinese) is a medicine smuggler who illegally smuggled fake cancer medicines from India. Nevertheless for thousands of poor patients who could never afford the same effect real pills from Germany, his "business" provided them the only hope to live on. So is he an IP criminal or is he a human savor? Which should we obey, the external law or our own conscience?

Get ready for some tears and laughter! This film is bitter sweet.