Jack ma (co-founder of Alibaba and the richest man in China) explains why Forrest Gump is his favorite movie, and how the movie changed his life.

Jack ma first watches Forrest Gump back in 1995 while he was in his friend’s house in Seattle.

The week happens to be the most frustrating dismay period. He was so depressed for getting cheated on by friends and all of his five projects fail.

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Jack Ma explains:

I watched the movie and I said we have to stay foolish with our dream, don’t think we are smart, and we have to continue. It is this simple.

Forrest Gump is very simple. He is not a smart guy, he continued to running running running.

He is the only one who wants to make business benefit from catching shrimps. A lot of people want to make business, make money by catching whales, sharks, you know.

I thought, yes, Forrest Gump is right. We should serve to normal people. We should catch shrimps, we should support small businesses.

So, be simple, stay foolish, and no matter what, just continue and do not complain about others. Only complain about yourself and check what the problems is with you. Did I change myself?

Later, I found a lot of people fail, because when they fail, they always complain about others. The people who always check their own problems survive and succeed in life.

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Plus, this is the script of Charlie Rose interviewing Jack Ma during the World Economic Forum Summit in Davos.

Charlie Rose: You love Forrest Gump?

Jack Ma: I love Forrest Gump

Charlie Rose: Why do you like him?

Jack Ma: He is simple, he never gives up. People think that he is dumb. But he knows what he is doing. And I was very depressed and watched the movie in my friend’s house. When I saw him, I thought, this is the guy we should learn from. Believe what you do. Love it whether people like it or not, be simple. And I like the word (quote): “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get”. I never know I would be here talking to you, talking to Charlie Rose. But, today, I made it.

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TL;DR: Forrest Gump is simple. He never gives up and whatever he does, he does it damn well to become the best (e.g. ping pong, running, shrimp business, etc.). People think he is dumb and weak, but he knows what he is doing and he continues to do it until he gets what he wants.

Couldn’t agree with him more!