Filmmaker Xu Zheng has turned his lens to the lives of food delivery workers, creating a touching, realistic drama to inspire everyone especially those facing hardship.

Cast and crew of "Upstream" pose for a photo at the film's premiere in Beijing, Aug. 2, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse Entertainment]

Directed, co-written and starring Xu, "Upstream" tells the story of a middle-aged man who is laid off from his job at a tech company and has to become a food delivery worker to support his family. With the help of his wife, family and new friends, he regains his confidence at a low point in his life and learns skills and experiences to start anew.

Based on stories of real delivery workers, the film shines a spotlight on a group that is integral to everyday life yet is frequently overlooked. The film vividly captures the living conditions, joys, sorrows and dangers faced by delivery workers who are always on the road.

"I hope to convey hope and warmth through a story that relates to everyone," Xu said at the film's premiere in Beijing on Aug. 2. He described his character, who has an ordinary family with elderly parents and a young child, as facing common challenges like medical care, education and mortgage payments.

"We hope to convey positive energy through this film, showing that whether at home or at the delivery station, everyone is protecting and looking out for each other. Everyone aspires to a happy life, and the key is to accept and affirm oneself, no matter how difficult things may be, and to always see hope," he explained.

In order to accurately portray the lives of food delivery workers on the big screen, the crew conducted extensive research during the early stages of the film's development, including interviewing a wide range of workers.

"Everyone is both familiar and unfamiliar with the food delivery industry. I often order takeout, but usually, it involves just a brief interaction with the delivery worker. In this movie, I hope to provide an immersive experience, taking the audience along on deliveries to see what a day in the life of a delivery worker is like," the director said.

A poster for "Upstream." [Image courtesy of MaxTimes Pictures]

Actor Feng Bing, who plays a veteran food delivery worker in the film, adopted a method acting approach for the role by actually delivering food. "Acting seems like a passive profession, but in our own world, we can be very proactive," he said.

Xin Zhilei, an actress who recently starred in Wong Kar-wai's hit epic series "Blossoms Shanghai," plays the wife of Xu's character. The director challenged her with this opportunity to be as realistic as possible, even without makeup. For Xin, the role was unlike any she had played before. "The character represents another powerful type of woman in life, equally deserving of being seen by all," she said.

Set for nationwide release in China on Aug. 9, "Upstream" is not just tear-jerking but also features Xu's typical comedic flair. The film marks Xu's return to realistic drama following the huge success of "Dying to Survive," which he produced and starred in, grossing 3.1 billion yuan in 2018.

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