“Hero “
Movie Review
Hero is the latest in a string of Covid-themed
films in Chinese cinema. Count on an excellent star like Zhou Sun, Sammy Cheng,
Jackson Yee, Xu Di, Stephen Fung, and Nina Paw with these three episodes directed
by three famous female directors: Sylvia Chang, Li Shahong, and Joan Chen one
might have hoped for something better than average. But this is too much to
expect when making a film about any vaguely sensitive subject in China.
Director Joan Chen's section is excellent.
Beginning in January 2020, Xiaolu played by Huang Mii returns to Beijing from
Wuhan to spend the New Year with her parents. Her boyfriend Zhaohua played by Jackson
Yee remains in Wuhan. They plan to get married soon, but she has yet to break
the news to her overprotective parents.
Gradually they learn about the crisis as Zhaohua
falls ill, catches a cold and the city is shut down. Xiaolu tries to return to
Wuhan, but soon she and her family are confined to a Beijing apartment and Zhaohua
becomes increasingly ill.
Filmed in black and white, color is used only for
video communication between lovers. The cinematography is smooth and both the
lead actors are believable in their roles. This category avoids morality well.
But this is the high point of the film.
The first episode directed by Li Shahong and
starring Zhou Shun is a glum and maudlin story about how traumatic events bring
a family together. It's set in Wuhan in January, but the initial sense of panic
it creates is quickly lost in positive news.
Director Sylvia Chang’s episode starring Sammy
Cheng, held in Hong Kong in February 2020. Contrary to the first two parts,
this one isn't really about Covid. Instead of that, it's a constant
relationship drama, where photojournalist Chelsea played by Cheng has to juggle
work and take care of her children. Although the film is set in the backdrop of
Covid, it could have been shot anytime, anywhere. Fair point but nothing
original about this piece.
Cheng is a decent actress who rarely gets the credit
she deserves, perhaps because of her multiple activities, but this film is
unlikely to change that due to its weak plot and unimaginative direction.
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