'' Troubled Laughter '' is a 1979 Chinese drama film directed by Yang Yanjin and Deng Yimin , set in the Cultural Revolution . The film stars Li Zhiyu as Fu Bin , a powerless newspaper writer who struggles with his conscience during an age of pervasive dishonesty and immorality from the top on down . It was screened out of competition at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival
1981 Cannes Film Festival
1981 Cannes Film Festival
Troubled Laughter