The Lin Family Shop, a famous short story by Mao Dun, was adapted for the screen by the noted playwright Xia Yan. The story takes place in the 1930s when China is under Japanese aggression. This coupled with the oppression and exploitation of the KMT and the bureaucrat-comprador bourgeoisie, makes life a torture for store-keeper Lin. He racks his brains for new methods, no matter how unscrupulous, of making a profit and saving himself from bankruptcy. He even cheats poor people like widow Zhang out of the meager savings they have deposited in his store. But in the end he loses the rat race and is forced to leave with whatever money he can lay his hands on.

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 12th Fegladafuz International Film Festival, Portugal 1983