Go For Broke is based on a 1998 true story of six Shanghai people who reinvent their lives after being laid off by state-owned companies. The film is acted by the real people who lived this story. The filmmaker tells us at the beginning that this is a docudrama, with scenes filmed where they actually happened. The characters wear their own clothes and no make up, he says. Fascinated by this true story, director Wang Guangli, a former psychology professor, wanted to have the characters re-enact what actually took place when the friends formed an apartment decoration/construction company as a venture in China’s promotion of social capitalism, or go-for-broke business. The six characters work hard, wanting to make it big on their own. They are led by Zhang Baozhong, an optimist who lost his job at a state-owned shipbuilding company several years before. He borrows a bundle of cash to start his company in the private sector and convinces his friends to jump in with him. Despite cash flow problems, more loans and a risky renovations project, they are doing well when a scam nearly bankrupts their company. But fate is kind and deals the group a winning lottery ticket. This sets in motion their true-to-life happy ending, and a surprising twist. Made as a low-budget film, it was shot in 35mm in 12 days. Without lights or set design, this docudrama continues to make the film festival rounds, including Vancouver and Rotterdam.