End-titles tell us that a million children a year drop school for work. It's a false figure. Reality is ten times higher. But since this is a criticism of China's system, and since director Zhang Yimou has often had troubles with the government and censors, he lowered the figure to what authorities would deem acceptable. In Italian neorealism the movies did not hesitate to show or denounce evils by individuals as well as the state.
Matters are much more careful and balanced here, a bit as in old Soviet movies.
The TV station bureaucrat receptionist is scolded, and it another bureaucrat who is helpful. The kindness of strangers gets some credit as a restaurant helps hungry Zhan, although this is done primarily to avoid his bothering the customers. You may glimpse a chic woman or two but contrasts are kept down. No discotheques, no pricey stores. You sense the movie's political prudence.