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Hong Kong 1941 (1984)

Dir: Po-Chih Leong

 

Made in 1984 by Po-Chih Leong (who Directed the early 80'slasher "He Walks by Night" and went on to Direct films/TV programs in The West, including "The Wisdom Of Crocodiles") this film tells the tale of 3 people who get caught up in the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong.

Fay (Chow Yun Fat), after failing to stow away on a ship leaving Hong Kong, taking the English with it, drifts around the City trying to find employment.
He meets up with Wong Hak Keung (prolific Alex Man) a small time black market dealer and ruffian.
He also meets Han Yuk Nam (Cecillia Yip) a pretty young woman who has a serious illness and who Keung is in love with, but who's Father (Kien Shih, who would later work with Chow again in the underrated "A Better Tomorrow 3") will not accept him as a Son In Law, and wants to marry his Daughter off to someone more respectable.

The three soon become friends, and as the Japanese approach and Hong Kong starts to fall apart (resulting in looters, headed up by the local Police Chief who rapes Nam, attacking homes and their fellow Chinese), they stand together to help each other survive.

Pretending to join the local Chinese who are helping the Japanese, Fay (who finds the feelings between him and Nam are getting stronger) uses his position to help his 2 friends in the hope they can all escape Hong Kong together.....

 

After the initial slow build up, which is essential to cement the 3 main characters and their relationship, which contains some gentle humour (and even the chance to hear Chow, who like many HK actors released an album of songs, sing a drunken tune!), the film takes a darker turn.
The sight of some of the Chinese turning on their own people (either in the violent rape/looting sequence or the later events as the Japanese take control) is a sickening spectacle. The film is even more damning of those Chinese that collaborated than the Japanese themselves.

The bond between the main players is slightly rushed, but the sheer acting skills of Yip, Fat and Man give the typically melodramatic Hong Kong film relationship a powerful spin.
All 3 are in top form, especially as the events unfolding around them become more violent and a lot more dangerous.

The violence is sparse, but well used. There is a decapitation (by the nasty Japanese Commander, who has designs on Nam) a very bloody finale fight and a nasty torture sequence involving a lit firecracker shoved in a man's ear to blow it off. This is really hard to watch as the victim screams and struggles as the fuse burns down, all the while watched by the cheering Japanese soldiers and their traitorous Chinese helpers. Look out for veteran actor Wu Ma ("A Chinese Ghost Story") as the Chairman in charge.

Winner of numerous Hong Kong film awards, this is a worthy, superbly acted film, that despite it's sometimes overly slow pace and melodramatic relationships, is well worth a look. Not just as a powerful drama but as an eye opening look at a dreadful time in Hong Kong's history.

The final scene and voice over (by Nam) are genuinely moving and tie up this tale, of love and friendship during the harshness of War, perfectly.