Movie Digest
Tough Out is a Chinese film that was released on 2020. The film was directed by Xu Huijing. The plotline of the film revolves around a group of teenagers who get selected by a non-profit baseball camp to form a junior team and learn to play baseball from a famous baseball coach in his 70s in the suburbs of Beijing. The teenagers struggle to learn the sport from scratch and play like a professional. They prepare for the upcoming youth baseball league, where they will represent China internationally. However, things don’t move smoothly when an unexpected hurdle comes. Due to an accident in the winter of 2017, countless families evacuate from Beijing. This situation forces the Baseball team to relocate as their dormitories as well as the training camp gets demolished.
The Feel-Good Part
Tough Out is one of the best documentaries in recent times. The film touches on some sensitive topics brilliantly. The film shows the aspect of society that many of us don’t know about, left behind children. Left behind children is a term used for the children under 16 years who are left behind by their parents either the parents are away for work or cannot provide for them. These left-behind children are trained to represent China in taking the U.S. The story of the film is inspiring and empowering and gives out a message of hope and resilience.
The Disappointing Factor
Honestly, Tough Out is a very well-made documentary that doesn’t have any faulty factors in it. However, if we must point one out, the continuous yelling at the children might annoy one.
In-Depth Analysis
Tough Out is a very well-directed film that shows the lives of children working and struggling hard to change their course of life from poverty. Each of the children shows different characteristics, which lead to conflicts, making up for an exciting watch on how these conflicting personalities form a unity. The film gives out a sense of sympathy as well as empathy to its viewers, which is ultimately directed towards those children and overall children belonging to the same case. The director of the film, Xu Huijing, did a brilliant job once again with Tough Out. The documentary footage used in the film takes the audience to experience the raw emotions regarding the social issues. The journey of the troubled teenagers from knowing nothing about baseball to representing China sheds light on various aspects of society and life in general.
Star Power
The film’s cast includes Ma Hu, Sun Lingfeng, Li Haixin, Gao Zhongjian, Zhang Jinxin, Li Xiaobo, Zhao Jian, and Liang Zhengshuang.
Overall Opinion
Tough Out is a film that radiates the message of hope and dreams. The film shows both aspects of a developed country such as China. The film addresses some sensitive topics without offending anyone, which includes issues of poverty, greed, abandonment, etc. Overall, Tough Out is recommended for its good direction, plot, and the junior athletes!
