Hong Kong moviegoers describe war epic as a 'must-see'

A hit Chinese mainland war film has gained a groundswell of support in Hong Kong, with moviegoers calling it a "striking" and "must-see" epic.

The blockbuster The Battle at Lake Changjin, which began screening in Hong Kong on Nov 11, gives center stage to a group of Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers who fought fearlessly and determinedly in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), despite freezing cold. They participated in a key campaign near Lake Changjin, or Chosin Reservoir, in the winter of 1950, despite a lack of food and warm clothing in unbearable temperatures.

Crucindo Hung Cho-sing, chairman of the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association, said the film sets a good example of pulling together educational, patriotic and commercial elements, adding it's the "best" in the genre he has seen in recent years.

The film was directed by three renowned directors－Chen Kaige, and Hong Kong's Tsui Hark and Dante Lam Chiu-Yin.

Hung gave credit to the directors, saying that their expertise and sensitivity in narration, human touch and action scenes contributed to the success of film.

Mandy Wong Sin-man, a 28-year-old clerk, said that she was deeply impressed and touched by the volunteers' strong faith and determination to fight for a peaceful life for following generations.

In an article published on the social media account of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Graduate Students and Alumni Association, Wang Yang, the university's vice-president for institutional advancement, said the screening of the film in Hong Kong is meaningful, as it helps people cherish the peace of today.

The film is the second-highest-grossing title of all time at the mainland box office, with its cumulative box office having reached 5.68 billion yuan ($890 million) on Nov 23－only 7 million yuan behind the 2017 action film Wolf Warriors 2.

Source: China Daily