The Chinese government didn't want you to see 'Better Days.' Here's why you should.

“Better Days” is finally seeing the light of day.

Originally scheduled to be released globally in early summer, Derek Tsang’s film — a heartbreaking tale of bullying and suicide in a Chinese high school — was pulled from distribution by the Chinese government with no explanation, leading to fears that President Xi Jinping’s government was becoming even more censorious.

Already a subscriber? Log In

You’ve reached your article limit.

Subscribe now to keep reading:

Best Value

Unlimited Digital Access

95¢ for the first month!

Subscribe Now

Renews at $14.75/mo plus tax

Cancel Anytime

Now, the government has relented, again with little explanation, but its capriciousness works in the favor of filmgoers this time. “Better Days,” one of the best films of the year, deserves a wide audience and it looks like it’s getting it. Since its release in China in late October, it has hauled in more than $80 million.