Logline
Their father flees his debts, and a rough, unreasonable debt collector occupies the home of his two young children, leading to a series of conflicts. Later, kindness leads them to help each other, with unexpected results.
The Debtor Is King
Creative Statement
Set against the recent disorder of illegal private fundraising, the film looks from a child's perspective at a debt crisis caused by human greed. It reflects on attitudes to money and on worldly indifference and corruption, shows the importance of morality and integrity, and brings out the good in people. The story is a children's film, a form I have always loved. The protagonists are a sister and brother still in primary school. Their father runs away after borrowing through illegal fundraising, and under the creditor's harsh pressure, conflicts arise. The film shows the kindness in human nature that lets them rescue each other and changes their hostile relationship. As the conflict between them gradually eases, we see that even in a cold relationship built on money, the warmest feelings remain.
Synopsis
Primary school pupils Li Yinxiu and her younger brother Li Jinlong are left behind when their father runs away after his racing pigeon business, funded by illegal fundraising, fails. A creditor, Wu Zhengliang, forces his way into their home and stays there, trying to make their father come back and pay. Before long, the two children bring Wu Zhengliang a string of troubles, and he wavers over whether to stay or go. One day Li Jinlong gets food poisoning, and Wu Zhengliang has to take him to hospital. Li Yinxiu promises him that if he pays her brother's medical bills up front, she will make sure their father repays his debt first. Wu Zhengliang believes her, but to his surprise the bills keep growing. Running out of money, he disappears. Later, when the two children keep their promise and go to repay him, they find his home besieged by a dozen debt collectors and his situation desperate. Li Yinxiu cannot bear it and, despite her relatives' objections, takes him in, until his creditors come to the door and he vanishes again. On New Year's Eve, just as the brother and sister are reunited with their father, Wu Zhengliang knocks on the door. On a night when the conflict seems about to erupt, he makes an unexpected choice.
-
Genre:
Drama, Comedy -
Director:
Zhang Zhonghua
-
Executive Producer:
Chu Ka-yi (Hong Kong, China) | Sze Kit-ling (Hong Kong, China) -
Screenwriter:
Zhang Zhonghua
-
Producer:
Chu Ka-yi (Hong Kong, China)