Champion

Rewinding to 1979, Xu Haifeng (Li Dongxue), then a sent-down educated youth, won the air rifle title at the 4th Anhui Provincial Games with an amateur air gun. Yet he was denied entry to the provincial team for exceeding the national age limit. Three years later, while working at the Hexian supply and marketing cooperative, he returned to the Games, won again, and still received no offer for the same reason. Soon after, he injured both eyes while protecting state property and nearly went blind. At this low point, Coach Wu Quanquing (Cong Lin) unexpectedly brought a temporary transfer notice from the provincial team, leaving Xu torn over whether to go. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Xu was in top form and ranked first. But with his final three shots remaining, his old eye injury suddenly flared up, forcing him to rest, where he sat overwhelmed by emotion.

Directed by Wang Fangfang, Champion leans on a strong ensemble — Li Dongxue, Chen Yiheng, Ma Jing — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2010.