Tells the story of prosecutor Han Ming who is involved in a difficult case where the intentional injury of people is turned into a legitimate defense.
Acting
Lei Jiayin's midlife-crisis prosecutor is gloriously pathetic.
Direction
Zhang Yimou finds visual poetry in fluorescent office lighting.
Writing
Balances dad-joke energy with genuine moral terror.
Director
Zhang Yimou
Lei Jiayin
Han Ming
Ma Li
Li Maojuan
Zhao Liying
Hao Xiuping
Gao Ye
Lu Lingling
Liu Yaowen
Han Yuchen
Wang Xiao
Deputy Inspector Tian
Chen Minghao
Li Maoquan
Pan Binlong
Wang Yongqiang
Zhang Yi
Director Zhan
Fan Wei
Liu Bingren
Yu Hewei
Wang Jian
Xu Yajun
Secretary Cao
Li Naiwen
Class Teacher
Jiang Qiming
Lawyer Chen
Alan Aruna
Liu Wenjing
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title refers to China's Article 20 of criminal law on legitimate self-defense, rarely invoked in practice — the film sparked real public debate about its application.
Zhang Yimou deliberately cast comedy actors against type; Lei Jiayin's sitcom background makes his moral failure feel uncomfortably familiar.
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