The first toad without a grandfather—and the scientist who never met his own creation.
In the spring of 1961, the Shanghai Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences spread a news that shocked the biological world: the world's first toad without a grandfather was born, and the artificial parthenogenesis experiment was successful! Just when everyone was immersed in a festive atmosphere, an astonishing bad news made people fall into extreme grief. Because the creator of this scientific miracle and the famous biologist Dr. Jin Yuxi, he was killed by cancer without even having a look at the results of his labor.
Acting
Jin Nai-Qian's dignified portrayal of doomed dedication.
Direction
Lin Lan balances scientific procedure with intimate tragedy.
Director
Lin Lan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on actual 1961 Chinese Academy of Sciences experiments in artificial parthenogenesis with toads, a genuine scientific milestone during Cold War biological research competition.
Released during 1980s Chinese cinema's reflective turn toward intellectual and scientific figures previously marginalized in revolutionary narratives.
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