Yuxuan Jin

Chen Tu, a migrant worker whose son attempts suicide, leading to the discovery that their blood types don't match. Struggling with this revelation, Chen Tu decides to donate a kidney to Wang Zheng's wife to keep his own family intact. Tragically, complications arise, and both Wang Zheng and his wife die. Overwhelmed by guilt and confusion, Chen Tu faces a mental breakdown but eventually finds a path to redemption with his family's support.

ZHENG Dasheng's "Tianjin Xianren" (A Useless Man) portrays the characteristic figure of an idler roaming the streets of Tianjin shortly before the Sino-Japanese War. Director Zheng skillfully interweaves the traditional storytelling performance with a humorous, and somewhat absurd narrative which blurs the distinction between life and performance, illusion and reality. Deeply rooted in local Tianjin culture, the films authentic depiction of the atmosphere of the city is filled with wisdom and energy. Insightful and highly entertaining, the film is a brilliant technical tour-de-force.