Go for broke

Description

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, this docudrama continues to make the film festival rounds, including Vancouver and Rotterdam.

Runtime

87 min

Creator

Wang, Guangli, 1966- drt

Series

Subjects

Genre

Date of Publication

2001

Database

Alexander Street

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