Not One Less poster

Not One Less( 1999)

TV-MADrama
75%
User
Score

In her village, she was the teacher. In the city, she discovered how much she had to learn.

Overview

Set in the People's Republic of China during the 1990s, the film centers on a 13-year-old substitute teacher, Wei Minzhi, in the Chinese countryside. Called in to substitute for a village teacher for one month, Wei is told not to lose any students.

    Top Billed Cast

    1. cast image

      Wei Minzhi

      Wei Minzhi

    2. cast image

      Zhang Huike

      Zhang Huike

    3. cast image

      Tian Zhenda

      Village Chief

    4. cast image

      Gao Enman

      Teacher Gao

    5. cast image

      Sun Zhimei

      Sun Zhimei

    6. cast image

      Feng Yuying

      TV Receptionist

    7. cast image

      Li Fanfan

      TV Host

    8. cast image

      Zhang Yichang

      Mr. Zhang

    9. cast image

      Zhanqing Xu

      Brick Factory Owner

    10. cast image

      Liu Hanzhi

      Zhang Huike's Mother

    11. cast image

      Ma Guolin

      Bus Station Man

    12. cast image

      Wu Wanlu

      TV Station Manager

    13. cast image

      Ru Liu

      Train Station Announcer

    14. cast image

      Wang Shulan

      Stationery Store Clerk

    15. cast image

      Fu Xinmin

      TV Station Director

    16. cast image

      Bai Mei

      Juxin Restaurant Manager

    17. cast image

      Zhang Mingshan

      Student

    18. cast image

      Jiao Jie

      Student

    19. cast image

      Rong Huimin

      Student

    20. cast image

      Sun Zhiwei

      Student

    21. cast image

      Ming Xinhong

      Student

    22. cast image

      Tian Xuewei

      Student

    23. cast image

      Li Mel

      Student

    24. cast image

      Lingyu Li

      Student

    Social

    Review 1Discussion
    A

    A review by Alunauwie

    9
    Written by Alunauwie on Fri Sep 12 2025
    The film Not One Less, adapted from Shi Xiansheng’s 1997 story A Sun in the Sky, highlights the real-life struggles of providing education in rural China during the 1990s. With a focus on the nation’s compulsory nine-year education policy, it brings attention to children who are forced to drop out due to poverty and work obligations. This issue remains relevant today, with dropout rates still present in many parts of the world, including Indonesia. Director Zhang Yimou used non-professional actors in their real-life roles, making the film’s emotional depth feel raw and authentic. Wei Minzhi’...

    Media

    Videos 2Backdrops 6Posters 11

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    Facts

    Status

    Released

    Original Language

    English

    Budget

    -

    Revenue

    -

    Keywords

    • class
    • village
    • mayor
    • mountain
    • promise
    • teacher
    • money
    • food
    • chalk