Many questions marks of huge size why this was not in mainstream movie house but only one, two screenings during a film festival celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Chinese communist rule? Jiarui Zhang successfully captures the odour, the presence of the 1970s in the first part of the story displaying even the film technicality of(ambiance, colour of the film etc) that era. The story though is not without fault, the acting rescues the project. And so, the success more or less is also ascribed to it. Nick Cheung (HK Film Award 2009 – Best Actor) has proved what he deserves, his acting matures as time goes by. Jingchu Zhang is a stunning gem as she is able to play the role of a much younger girl at the age of 28. Loletta Lee is yet another surprise. At 43 and after such a long absence, the female veteran can still fight a good battle, her girlish look is a rivalry between that of Zhang.
The border town exhibits the present China-Vietnam relationship, especially while the former is becoming more influential in that part of the world. Besides, the tradition of Yao-ethnic group (e.g. wedding), the affection of A Tao towards A Xia (which he felt in hindsight and can never reciprocated), crime boss Sha Ba's care and love to the young girl, they are all delicately told.
Just a wild guess that the production team might have to consider income and the worldwide market, otherwise, Sha Ba and A Shui actually would be better played by Mainland Chinese or even Vietnamese actors but not those from Hong Kong. (It has been purported that Tran Nu Yên-Khê, the wife of Anh Hung Tran, has been invited to take up the role of A Shui. Only that her schedules did not permit.) The three Hong Kong actors needed to try very hard to speak Putonghua, the local dialect and also Vietnamese.
It's a movie you'd enjoy but it's also a movie with an ending that breaks your heart.
The border town exhibits the present China-Vietnam relationship, especially while the former is becoming more influential in that part of the world. Besides, the tradition of Yao-ethnic group (e.g. wedding), the affection of A Tao towards A Xia (which he felt in hindsight and can never reciprocated), crime boss Sha Ba's care and love to the young girl, they are all delicately told.
Just a wild guess that the production team might have to consider income and the worldwide market, otherwise, Sha Ba and A Shui actually would be better played by Mainland Chinese or even Vietnamese actors but not those from Hong Kong. (It has been purported that Tran Nu Yên-Khê, the wife of Anh Hung Tran, has been invited to take up the role of A Shui. Only that her schedules did not permit.) The three Hong Kong actors needed to try very hard to speak Putonghua, the local dialect and also Vietnamese.
It's a movie you'd enjoy but it's also a movie with an ending that breaks your heart.
