Family Ties (2001)

In modern Shanghai, the film centers on Lu Min (Xiao Bo), a high school student determined to succeed on the crucial college entrance exam. With limited resources, his future hinges on gaining admission to a prestigious university. His mother, Fangfang (Song Dandan), is a frugal homemaker fixated on winning prizes from television quiz shows, a strategy that has furnished their home. His father, Dayi (Fu Biao), faces ongoing difficulties finding stable employment after a layoff, repeatedly failing job retraining programs. A brief stint as a bar companion ends with a hospital stay due to his low tolerance for alcohol. Each family member confronts personal challenges, demonstrating resilience in the face of hardship, mirroring the struggles of many everyday families trying to persevere.