Robin Hood might be a centuries old folk hero, but his reincarnations seem to pop up in real life, including the true story behind Dying to Survive. Alternatively translated as I’m Not A Medicine God, the modern day Chinese iteration is initially less concerned over the common good and more concerned with money. It makes for a much more humorous take, as the ordinary peddler bribes, smuggles, and asserts his desire for profit, but it also sets up the real desperation created by a medical drug industry that hopes to incentivize research and protect consumers, but inadvertently blocks the very people that needs said drugs. Dying to Survive might focus more on the smuggler than critiquing this conundrum, but nonetheless it understands the real recurring tragedy that modern life can't seem to completely solve.
Synopsis
When a mysterious visitor appears, the life of Yong Cheng, owner of a store that stocks aphrodisiac products, changes dramatically. He becomes the exclusive selling agent of a cheap Indian generic drug against Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia in China. Not only does Yong Cheng see his profits skyrocket, but he is dubbed the god of medicine“ by his customers
Storyline
Desperate for money, middle-aged, deadbeat Shanghai shopkeeper Cheng Yong smuggles a cheap, generic version of Swiss drug imatinib from India.
TLDR
Man, I did NOT expect the tears…
What stands out
How morally dubious Cheng Yong is portrayed. Certain scenes might keep some viewers from totally siding with him, but it highlights how morality and survival can seem to be at odds with each other today.
