Dying to Survive is a 2018 Chinese film directed by Wen Muye and based on the real-life story of a leukemia patient who smuggled a cheaper generic drug from India for himself and others in need. The film follows Yong Cheng, a middle-aged man who runs a small store selling aphrodisiac products in a Chinese village. His life changes when a leukemia patient approaches him and asks him to help buy a cheaper version of the drug Gleevec, which is not covered by insurance and is too expensive for most patients.
Yong Cheng, who is initially reluctant, eventually decides to travel to India with the help of his friend Lao Wu to buy the generic drug for the patients. They smuggle it back to China and sell it to other leukemia patients at a lower cost. The business proves to be lucrative, and Yong Cheng becomes the exclusive selling agent of the drug in China, managing to help hundreds of leukemia patients who couldn't afford the expensive medicine.
However, their operation attracts the attention of the authorities and pharmaceutical companies, who try to stop them. Yong Cheng and his team face many challenges, including being arrested by the police and threatened by the ruthless pharmaceutical company representative Wang. The film touches on themes of social justice, healthcare systems, and moral responsibility, and it has been lauded for its realistic portrayal of the healthcare crisis in China.
Dying to Survive was a massive box office success in China, grossing over $450 million and becoming the second-highest-grossing film of all time in the country, behind only Wolf Warrior 2. It received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and screenplay, winning several awards, including Best Film at the 55th Golden Horse Awards. The film also sparked a nationwide debate about the high cost of healthcare and the need for affordable medicine.