Never Say Never

The story spans from 2001, when Xiang runs a struggling sand business, to 2011 when the club grows and gains notoriety, and culminates in the early 2010s as public backlash and legal pressure reshape the lives of those involved. The period marks a rise in spectacle, media attention, and eventual consequences for the participants and organizers.

Set in Longshan, a mining-flavored town in Sichuan, the film follows a sand-mining operation that becomes a cover for a children's fight club. The town's economic struggles push people toward desperate schemes, fueling both the club's birth and its fallout.

⚖️ Child Exploitation

Children are lured into fighting under the guise of sport, trapped by meals and lodging, and manipulated for profit. The town’s poverty and desperation are exploited to manufacture champions. The film shows the moral cost of turning a vulnerable group into entertainment. It asks whether ends justify the means when kids' futures are at stake.

🕊️ Redemption

Xiang Tenghui’s past—being tricked into PEDs and his later downfall—drives his decision to shift from staged fights to training real champions. He seeks to redeem his mistakes by protecting the children and steering them toward legitimate competition. The narrative tracks his moral growth as he confronts the consequences of the club’s fame. Redemption comes at a price as public scrutiny closes in.

💼 Power & Corruption

Backers, sponsorships, and counterfeit schemes intersect with sport, revealing how money corrupts and influences control over fighters. The club’s funding is tied to dubious goods and shady contracts, showing the commodification of young talent. Authorities and rival interests exploit or threaten the operation to bend outcomes to profit or control. The system rewards spectacle over safety.

📺 Media & Controversy

A viral video exposes the past and present abuses of the club, turning private tragedy into public outrage. A talk show forces Xiang and the others to reckon with their actions, while authorities move to shut down the operation. Public pressure and media attention prompt legal scrutiny and shifts in control. The media spotlight accelerates both downfall and reform.