In 2009, Jet Li's career reached an unprecedented peak, as the number one Chinese kung fu star, his name is a household name, and his salary is astronomical.
However, behind the double harvest of his career and life, a bad news that may change the trajectory of his life quietly came.
On this day, Jet Li went for a routine physical examination as usual. But when he received the medical examination report, his whole body was like a lightning strike - the report clearly showed that a certain indicator in his body was abnormal and he needed to go to the hospital for further cancer examination.
Jet Li's brain "buzzed", and then there was a deathly silence. "What should I do with this life? If there are really only three months left, I won't have time to fulfill my wish?" All kinds of thoughts rolled in Jet Li's mind.
At this moment, Jet Li suddenly remembered that he had always planned to shoot a movie - that is, "Ocean Paradise" based on the personal experience of Xue Xiaolu, the founder of the Beijing Star Rain charity.
The film tells the story of an autistic son and a father suffering from liver cancer, and the themes are universal and meaningful. Jet Li's heart moved, and his inner turmoil calmed down - he was determined to make this movie his last work! So, while the doctor arranged for him to have further examinations, Jet Li had already begun to prepare for the filming of "Ocean Paradise", vowing to fulfill this wish in his lifetime.
Ocean Paradise was inspired by the personal experience of Xue Xiaolu, founder of the Beijing Stars and Rain charity. Over the years, Xue Xiaolu has been working as a charity volunteer for autistic children at the Stars and Rain Organization.
This has made her witness the helplessness and pain of too many autistic families, especially the feeling of being a parent.
In 2005, Xue Xiaolu decided to write a book about what he saw and heard, called "Ocean Paradise". Through the story of an autistic son and a father suffering from liver cancer, this book expresses her dedication and perseverance to family and affection.
However, at that time, there was no idea of bringing this story to the screen, let alone investing in filming. It wasn't until 4 years later that Jet Li made a charitable donation to the Stars and Rain Organization, and the work "Ocean Paradise" revealed the dawn of hope for the first time - it will eventually have the opportunity to infect more people's hearts through movies.
When Jet Li was determined to complete the filming of "Ocean Paradise" in his lifetime, he began to prepare. Since this is a public benefit film, it is difficult to find investors.
So, Jet Li resolutely paid out of his own pocket and independently produced this movie. Not only that, but he also followed the production of the film throughout the process, from the selection of topics, screenwriters to star actors, he did it himself.
In Jet Li's heart, "Ocean Paradise" has become a masterpiece that carries the meaning of his life. It is universal in theme and meaningful in its ability to infect everyone with family.
Therefore, despite the huge investment and the high risk, Jet Li still gambled and was willing to take it. In terms of salary, Jet Li is even more generous, others are counting money against time, but his salary is only charged 1 yuan.
"My life is dying, what's the use of more money?" Jet Li said this to the film production team, and his tone revealed his dedication and devotion to "Ocean Paradise".
In terms of casting, Jet Li was initially dissatisfied with the actor's article as the actor Daifuku. He thinks that the article is not in good shape and is much worse than that of autistic children.
But the article was not discouraged, on the contrary, he began to take the initiative to delve into autism. The article took months to spend with the autistic child in the Stars and Rain Agency, until he fully integrated the character from the outside in.
A few months later, when the article came to see Jet Li again, Director Li was stunned - the whole person in front of the article in front of him had "become" his autistic son Dafu, looking left and right, his fingers kept shaking, and he was completely immersed in the role.
Director Li realized that acting skills can be overtaken through acquired efforts. If the article is given enough patience and a chance to exercise, he will definitely be able to play this role well.
In the end, moved by the article's efforts for several months, Director Li decided to give him a chance - the actor Dafu of "Ocean Paradise" starring in the article.
Before the official start of filming, Jet Li went to the hospital for further examinations, and he had to determine his physical condition to support the whole filming process. After the test results came out, Jet Li breathed a sigh of relief that he was not suffering from cancer, but hyperthyroidism.
This bought him valuable time for treatment. So, he chose to hide his illness and began a two-month intensive filming without the knowledge of his family and crew.
During the filming, Jet Li's physical condition was good and bad, and the crew saw it. But whenever someone advised him to pay attention to his body, he would smile slightly, continue to work with the only physical strength he had, and refuse any request for an extension or reduction in his workload.
Under the leadership of Director Li, the entire crew is gritting their teeth and working hard, and everyone is doing their best, because they know that this movie is of great significance to Director Li.
One day two months later, when the movie was finally finished, everyone cried with joy. Jet Li, on the other hand, was content to lie on the director's chair and calm down for a long time - he used his best efforts to complete the filming of this desired work.
Now, all that's left is post-production, publicity, and release.
Statistically, the quality of Ocean Paradise is outstanding. It brings together the industry's top production team, from the writer, director to the main creative role, each position is a first-line star.
The dedication and production team alone are enough to prove that this is a rigorous and serious work.
In terms of publicity, "Ocean Paradise" is also locked in the literary film market, from the movie poster to the trailer, it is revealed that this is a very rare public welfare masterpiece.
In order to promote the significance of this movie, Jet Li himself also followed one after another, standing on the platform everywhere, and Hunan Satellite TV specially opened a "Public Welfare Paradise" column for it. This was unprecedented at the time.
Therefore, from any dimension, "Ocean Paradise" is a work of conscience in the industry. It brings together the best of the best and has the purest purpose – to draw public attention to this group.
This is something that no data can shake.
The significance of "Ocean Paradise" goes far beyond its simple plot. The whole film is only less than an hour long, but through the ordinary story of an autistic son and a father with liver cancer, it deeply touches the hearts of every audience.
As a father, Jet Li, for this ignorant child, at the last moment of his life, tried every means to find a new home for him. This kind of family affection, this spirit of selfless dedication, makes everyone with family members cry.
Suffice it to say, "Ocean Paradise" is touching not because of how well-made, how magnificent the scenes are, and how tragic the soundtrack. But because of its simple plot, it hits the softest place in the heart - the care and protection of family is the greatest theme in this world.
No audiovisual feast can compare to it. Because of this, the significance and value of "Ocean Paradise" far exceeds its box office figures, and it teaches people to remember the importance of family and loved ones while chasing fame and fortune.
The most memorable thing about "Ocean Paradise" is the many tearful scenes before the father's sacrifice at the end of the film. Jet Li, a cold action star, is completely incarnated as a loving father in this movie.
This kind of transcendent fatherly love makes people cry after watching it. Because the care and protection of parents is the greatest emotion in the world. And the sentence "As long as you are happy, my paradise is also there" is the most beautiful confession in the world.
There are no words to describe the love that parents have for their children, which is pure and broad, and hopes that their children will live a healthy and happy life, even at the cost of their own.
The significance of "Ocean Paradise" is to awaken people's great gratitude to their parents. It is also the uniqueness of this movie, it does not use any exaggerated techniques, it is the simplest daily life, and the warmth of family relationships is pushed to the peak.
This highly condensed family affection is enough to overcome any dramatic plot.
In "Ocean Paradise", Jet Li and the two leading actors of the article shined. Jet Li, as a popular kung fu superstar, this is the first time he has completely interpreted the image of a loving father, and has vividly portrayed the fatherly love of an ordinary person.
And the article is from an action star, completely hiding himself into the role, becoming a real autistic person.
Jet Li uses his indifferent and lofty image to create the inner world of the characters, while the article wins with dedication and "sense of integration", perfectly interpreting the characteristics of a special group of people.
It can be said that without the joint efforts of the two, the appeal of "Ocean Paradise" would be reduced.
Therefore, the success of this movie is jointly created by Jet Li and the two leading actors of the article. They poured all their true feelings into creating the most beautiful father-son relationship in the history of movies with vivid characters.
This kind of sincere emotional infection is difficult for all commercial blockbusters to achieve.
After the release of "Ocean Paradise", it received a super high reputation that did not match the box office. This small-budget film ended up with a box office of only 10 million and was not a commercial success.
However, its near-perfect plot and touching father-son relationship have won unanimous praise from all audiences and critics. "A classic of family ethics", "a masterpiece full of warmth", "the best work of Jet Li and his articles"...... Such slogans are everywhere.
It can be said that "Ocean Paradise" was a complete success on an artistic level. It proves that the significance of the film is not only in the box office figures, but also in the portrayal of human nature and the concern for the public good.
At a time when commercial films have been repeatedly questioned for only digging into human desires, "Ocean Paradise" has undoubtedly injected a breath of fresh air into the film industry. It proves that cinema can also be a work of art that touches people's hearts and evokes positive energy.
This has established its immortal position in the history of film.
Time has passed, and more than 10 years have passed since the release of "Ocean Paradise". Those viewers who burst into tears when they first watched it may have gone through multiple stages of their lives and are no longer what they used to be.
But every time Father's Day comes, or on a quiet night, when they search for this old movie, tears will come out of their eyes again.
The warmth of family life can still touch their hearts. The bits and pieces that the father silently pays for his children still teach people from the bottom of their hearts. That's the biggest charm of "Ocean Paradise" - it shows the most indispensable family relationship in this world, and time can't diminish its meaning.
As Jet Li said at the end of the film: "The ocean is in your heart, and heaven is also in your heart." This is the common language of all mankind.
The success of "Ocean Paradise" lies in the fact that it awakens the most sincere emotion of ordinary people - the care and protection of family members. In this day and age, we often suppress our original instincts in the midst of a disruptive life.
We forget about the importance of family for a while, and focus more on our careers, money, or popular materials.
However, the appearance of "Ocean Paradise" reminds us that in fact, the secret of running a family is only in ordinary life. We don't need too much external stimulation, as long as we care about the people around us who are silently accompanied.
Going home to spend more time with the elderly and taking care of the children's daily life is our most important "job" in this world. Perhaps, when we look back on the past one day, the collection of these little things is our most precious spiritual wealth.