Life on a String is a 1991 Chinese film by acclaimed film director Chen Kaige. Made before his international breakthrough Farewell, My Concubine, Life on a String is a more intimate and philosophical affair, telling the story of a blind sanxian player and his young disciple. The film was based on the novel Life on a String (《命若琴弦》) by Shi Tiesheng. The film was entered into the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.