This story of a family torn apart by alcoholism and insanity is remarkable for the genesis of its plot. The director heard the story of his downstairs neighbors, a retired couple (former professional dancers) and their two deadbeat sons who hit hard times when the father’s alcoholism and resultant commitment to a mental institution nearly destroyed the family. Zhang Yuan went to the mental hospital, "borrowed" Mr. Li, and re-enacted the family’s troubles with the four family members playing themselves in the film. The title was suggested by the father himself, who told Zhang Yuan: "only some men are fathers, but all men are sons."