Clap Your Hands

Plot Core: The Pursuit of Happiness Amidst Life and Death

Nan Ji plays Qiaoqiao, who, at twenty, is forced to give up her youthful dreams to care for her daughter, Fuling, and son, Ziling, both affected by osteogenesis imperfecta. After facing multiple hardships, including unemployment, homelessness, and the loss of loved ones, she remains steadfast in her belief of "finding light in the clouds." The sudden passing of her high school friend, Lin Shulin, becomes a turning point, prompting her to lead her family on a new journey, seeking value in life through a "mutual aid family" model. The film’s key line, "Happiness is not something to wait for; it is something to chase," underscores the courage to actively change one's circumstances.

Character Depth: Nan Ji Challenges the "Atypical Mother" Image

Nan Ji breaks away from her previous artistic film roles, portraying a complex transformation from despair to awakening. Her scenes selling goods at night markets showcase the survival wisdom of a street-smart mother, with interactions with sick children referencing real-life documentaries on families dealing with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Liang Ji plays her taciturn husband, with the subplot of "work-related injury leading to disability" deepening the family's economic pressures, while their "wordless arguments" illustrate the helplessness often found in real marriages.

Social Concerns and Production Background

Rare Disease Issues: Director Zhu Jie conducted three years of field research, interviewing multiple families affected by osteogenesis imperfecta. For instance, the "fracture emergency rescue" scenes are based on medical cases provided by the Beijing "Porcelain Doll Care Center."
Female Perspective: Screenwriter Zhang Chi narrates from a "woman as the core of the family" viewpoint, echoing the 2023 social discussions on "the labor rights of stay-at-home moms." Qiaoqiao’s experiences with "employment discrimination" reflect real-world challenges.

(This article is based on reports from the film festival premiere and announcements of the nationwide release; specific details are subject to the actual release version.)

Note:

The "mutual aid family" model references the operational methods of the Shenzhen "Support Alliance for Families with Disabilities," emphasizing community solidarity against structural challenges.
Medical details and assistive device designs for osteogenesis imperfecta are sourced from the 2022 "Rare Disease Medical White Paper."