Article 20

Article 20
Article 20
	Promotional poster
Traditional Chinese	第二十條
Simplified Chinese	第二十条
Literal meaning	Article 20
Hanyu Pinyin	Dì èr shí tiáo
Directed by	Zhang Yimou
Written by	Li Meng; Wang Tianyi;
Starring	Lei Jiayin; Ma Li; Zhao Liying; Gao Ye; Liu Yaowen;
Production; companies	Beijing Enlight Pictures; Center for Film & Television of the Supreme People's Procuratorate
Distributed by	Beijing Enlight Pictures
Release date	February 10, 2024 (China);
Running time	141 minutes
Country	China
Language	Mandarin
Box office	$323.6 million

Article 20 (Chinese: 第二十条) is a 2024 Chinese comedy drama film directed by Zhang Yimou, and stars Lei Jiayin, Ma Li, Zhao Liying and Gao Ye. The film tells the story of prosecutor Han Ming, who has reached middle age and wanted to seize the last opportunity in his career to work at the Municipal Procuratorate. Unexpectedly, he was involved in a hugely controversial case. At the same time, his family was also facing a similar test.^[2]

Article 20 was released in theaters in China on February 10, 2024.^[3] It is the year's eighth-highest-grossing film worldwide.

Synopsis

Ever since he took a temporary job at the Municipal Procuratorate, Han Ming (Lei Jiayin) has had troubles one after another. His son Han Yuchen (Liu Yaowen) hit the son of the school principal (Zhang Yi) and refused to apologize. His wife Li Maojuan (Ma Li), filled with indignation, in turn attacked the principal. Partner Lu Lingling (Gao Ye) has constant disagreements, and the case has been pending for a long time. In another case, Hao Xiuping (Zhao Liying) was forced into a desperate situation and was in an extremely critical situation. The battle between love and law is unfolding, and the balance between career and family is ongoing. Han Ming decides to risk everything and give fairness and justice in his own way.

Cast

Lei Jiayin as Han Ming
Ma Li as Li Maojuan
Zhao Liying as Hao Xiuping
Gao Ye as Lu Lingling
Liu Yaowen as Han Yuchen
Zhang Yi as Zhang
Wang Xiao as Deputy Prosecutor Tian
Chen Minghao as Li Maoquan
Yu Hewei as Prosecutor Wang

Production

Background

An act that a person commits to stop an unlawful infringement in order to prevent the interests of the State and the public, or his own or other person's rights of the person, property or other rights from being infringed upon by the on-going infringement, thus harming the perpetrator, is justifiable defence, and he shall not bear criminal responsibility.
If a person's act of justifiable defence obviously exceeds the limits of necessity and causes serious damage, he shall bear criminal responsibility; however, he shall be given a mitigated punishment or be exempted from punishment.
If a person acts in defence against an on-going assault, murder, robbery, rape, kidnap or any other crime of violence that seriously endangers his personal safety, thus causing injury or death to the perpetrator of the unlawful act, it is not undue defence, and he shall not bear criminal responsibility.^[4]

Article 20 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China

This film is the first legal-themed film in China that focuses on the issue of "justifiable defense". From an artistic perspective, it sends a message to the audience that the country supports legitimate defense and encourages courageous acts of justice. The "Article 20" in the film's title refers to Article 20 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China.^[5]

The film "Article 20" uses a story-based approach to bring the self-defense clause to the big screen. In a comedic interpretation, more people can understand self-defense. Zhang Tingting, producer of the Film and Television Center of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, said that the storyline of the film is based on multiple legitimate defense cases in reality.^[6]

"Article 20" attaches great importance to the emphasis on "emotion", thereby attracting the audience to understand emotion and reason, and reason and law. Through the artistic creation of Han Ming, Lu Lingling, Hao Xiuping and other characters, it makes them look like small people but not small people, look like weak people but are extremely brave, and appear to be cautious but actually have a strong heart.

Therefore, this film is like a powerful excavator, constantly "digging out" the audience's sympathy, sense of justice, laughter and tears. The narrative style of "laughing with tears, sadness with love" has also innovatively expanded the audience group, making it easier for audiences of different levels to accept and willing to promote and spread.^[7]

Filming

Principal photography began on July 1, 2023, in Langfang.^[8]

Release

On January 12, 2024, the film was officially announced to be released on February 10, 2024 (the first day of the Lunar New Year). At the same time, a scheduled poster was released, revealing the full cast of actors for the first time. The film also released a preview on the same day.^[3]

"Article 20 may have the most laughter in the movies I have made, but all the laughter is based on characters and stories, and there is a very wonderful chemical effect." Zhang Yimou said that he hopes that every actor will portray His role can be remembered by everyone. I hope that thousands of families can enjoy the Spring Festival holiday together and watch everyone's favorite movies. I hope that 2024 will be even better!^[9]