On the same day we were supposed to meet with our friend on his birthday to watch this film, I was reading “Superfreakonomics” in the morning. In this new chapter, it says we often complain about how the old days are better, but more often so it is not the case. After the film, I thought: What if web conferencing was a reality in 1905? For the 1 hour meeting Sun Yat-sen has with the revolutionists in Hong kong, so many people are willing to put their lives on the front line to make it happens. Apparently, I was not the only one who thinks that way after the show.
“Bodyguards and Assassins” has a few good surprises to me. Cynthia and I were supposed to give it a miss as we were more interested in procuring the tickets for “Avatar”. Not surprisingly, “Avatar” is full house all the way till Christmas and beyond. Instead, TK picked “Bodyguards and Assassins”. The storyline is epic, the costumes in the backdrop of 1905 Hong Kong are convincingly authentic, the acting quality of the huge team of Chinese stars is rock solid, and the film talks to me at the emotional level. So thank you TK for booking this for us!
I have spent a good number of years studying Chinese history when I was in Hong Kong. And I was holding my breath on what a Hong Kong and China production going to do with Sun Yat-sen, father of the modern China, also co-founder of Kuomintang (KMT) – a political party that eventually established itself in Taiwan after a fallout with the Communist Party of China. Given the history and tension between China and Taiwan with a story set in a British ex-colony Hong Kong, how far would “Bodyguards and Assassins” push the political boundary?
It turns out to be one story that recounts the few days of logistic preparation prior to the meeting of Dr. Sun and the revolutionists in Hong Kong. It is a revolution in the making against the Qing Dynasty. The story ends on the day the meeting has ended. And I am glad that the story manages not to displease the authorities of either straits. It is good to be reminded – as a Chinese – how far we have endured in the last century, how much we have progressed in the last century. A collapse of a Dynasty, the invasion of the Japanese, the colonization by the Western countries, and look where China is today.
Back to the film, as nowhere it is mentioned that the story is based on true characters, I have no basis to verify if these are historical events. Having said that, the characters are very much alive. Each individual is portrayed as a genuinely good person, with a future. And that is why “Bodyguards and Assassins” is so hard to watch. No one wants to see good people get hurt. I think Cynthia was tearing all the way.
I get it. Revolution is painful, very painful.
8 replies on “Bodyguards And Assassins – One Shouldn’t Be Missed This Year, To Me”
cool! i think im going to watch this movie! i was thinking avatar and bodyguards and assassins are great movies to watch.
JT – Yes, yes! And tell me what you think after the show! I really like this one … hehehe.
I’m just back from the viewing of Bodyguards and Assassins! Hey, I teared too as the emotions were too intense. The bodyguards’ fiery dedication to their cause is worthy of respect.
It is the Avatar of Chinese movies. 🙂
Sing Chyun – Oh, that I agree 100% – Avatar of the Chinese movies. In fact, I feel pretty proud that this Chinese production is of such a high International standard. I hope this film can win some awards that it deserves.
I enjoyed the show totally.
Most impress by the “businessman”
Kiat – Ya, the businessman’s acting is solid. I think all do play their roles well too. I am also impressed by the little girl (whom I thought was a boy!). That girl can fight!
Me too, i was impressed by the bussiness man too! think there many space for the actor to perform in this show. So many layer in this film… so many different reason each character have for protecting a person… a bit drama for some scene but overall still an awesome film!
Ng – You are right. Some scenes are pretty dramatic. Especially the fighting scenes. Then again, I think Ku Fu is imbued into our culture. And hence, that may appeal to the mass public.