The Story of Woo Viet

Last updated

The Story of Woo Viet
The Story of Woo Viet FilmPoster.jpeg
Traditional Chinese 胡越的故事
Simplified Chinese 胡越的故事
Hanyu Pinyin Hú Yuè De Gù Shì
Jyutping Wu4 Jyut6 Dik1 Gu3 Si6
Directed by Ann Hui
Written by Alfred Cheung
Produced by Teddy Robin
Starring Chow Yun-fat
Cora Miao
Lo Lieh
Cherie Chung
CinematographyBill Wong
Edited byKin Kin
Music by Lam Manyee
Release date
  • 24 April 1981 (1981-04-24)
Running time
92 minutes
CountriesHong Kong
Philippines
Vietnam
Language Cantonese

The Story of Woo Viet is a 1981 Hong Kong political drama directed by Ann Hui and starring Chow Yun-fat as the title character, Woo Viet. The assistant director was Stanley Kwan and the action choreographer was Ching Siu-tung.

Contents

The film was one of the first political dramas made in Hong Kong. It used the story of Vietnamese refugees (boat people) to reflect on Hong Kong's handling of the refugee issue, and also on Hong Kong's sentiment regarding their uncertain future of sovereignty at the time. It is also the second part of Ann Hui's Vietnamese trilogy.

The movie features a famous Cantonese song, "This is Love", sung by Teddy Robin, the producer of this movie.

In the United States, the film is marketed under the title God of Killers, capitalizing on Chow's popularity in heroic bloodshed films.

Plot

The story features Woo Viet, who wants to leave his country, Vietnam, behind and start over in the United States. But he first must make his way to Hong Kong. In a refugee detention camp there, he discovers many of his countrymen are disappearing under mysterious circumstances. As Woo tries to find out what is happening, he realizes his life is in danger, and has to leave for the United States immediately using a false passport instead of seeking asylum. In the process, he meets a beautiful woman, Cham Thanh, who then travels with him. When Woo and his new love stop over in the Philippines, they discover that the females are conned to stay there to become prostitutes. Instead of taking the plane to the United States, Woo Viet decides to stay in the Philippines to save his love. However, as he is stranded in Manila's Chinatown, Woo Viet is forced to work as a hired killer.

Cast


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chow Yun-fat</span> Hong Kong actor (born 1955)

Chow Yun-fatSBS, previously known as Donald Chow, is a Hong Kong actor.

<i>A Better Tomorrow</i> 1986 Hong Kong action film

A Better Tomorrow is a 1986 Hong Kong action film directed and co-written by John Woo, and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat. The film had a profound influence on Hong Kong action cinema, and has been recognised as a landmark film credited with setting the template for the heroic bloodshed genre, with considerable influence on both the Hong Kong film industry and Hollywood.

<i>The Killer</i> (1989 film) 1989 Hong Kong action crime film directed by John Woo

The Killer is a 1989 Hong Kong action thriller film written and directed by John Woo. The film stars Chow Yun-fat, Danny Lee and Sally Yeh. Chow plays assassin Ah Jong, who accidentally damages the eyes of singer Jennie (Yeh) during a shootout. He later discovers that if Jennie does not undergo an expensive operation, she will go blind. To get the money for Jennie, Ah Jong decides to perform one last hit.

<i>Hard Boiled</i> 1992 Hong Kong action film

Hard Boiled is a 1992 Hong Kong action thriller film directed by John Woo from a screenplay by Gordon Chan and Barry Wong. The film stars Chow Yun-fat as Inspector "Tequila" Yuen, Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Alan, an undercover cop, and Anthony Wong as Johnny Wong, a leader of the criminal triads.

<i>Once a Thief</i> (1991 film) 1991 Hong Kong film

Once a Thief is a 1991 Hong Kong heist comedy film directed by John Woo, who also wrote the screenplay with Janet Chun and Clifton Ko. The film stars Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Kenneth Tsang and Paul Chu. The film was released on 2 February 1991, before the lucrative Chinese Lunar New Year holiday season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Hui</span> Hong Kong film director

Ann Hui On-wah, is a film director, producer, screenwriter and actress from Hong Kong who is one of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers of the Hong Kong New Wave. She is known for her films about social issues in Hong Kong which include: literary adaptations, martial arts, semi-autobiographical works, women's issues, social phenomena, political changes, and thrillers. She served as the president of the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild from 2004 to 2006.

<i>The Replacement Killers</i> 1998 American film

The Replacement Killers is a 1998 American action film directed by Antoine Fuqua in his feature film directorial debut, and starring Chow Yun-fat, Mira Sorvino, Michael Rooker and Kenneth Tsang. The film was released in the United States on February 6, 1998. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Ken Sanzel. Veteran action director John Woo co-produced and choreographed the action sequences. The film is set in modern-day Los Angeles and follows an emotionally disillusioned assassin who is forced to settle a violent vendetta for a ruthless crime boss. The film marks the American acting debut for Chow, as his previous film credits included Hong Kong action cinema only.

<i>Bullet in the Head</i> 1990 Hong Kong action film directed by John Woo

Bullet in the Head is a 1990 Hong Kong action film written, produced, edited and directed by John Woo, and starring Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee and Simon Yam. The film incorporates elements of the action, war, drama, and crime film genres.

<i>The Bund</i> (TV series) Hong Kong TV series or program

The Bund is a Hong Kong period drama television series first broadcast on TVB in 1980. It is praised as "The Godfather of the East" and spawned two sequels, two remakes, and a film adaptation. The theme song, which shares the same Chinese title as the series and was performed by Frances Yip, also became a memorable Cantopop hit.

<i>A Better Tomorrow III: Love & Death in Saigon</i> 1989 film by Tsui Hark

A Better Tomorrow III: Love & Death in Saigon is a 1989 Hong Kong action drama film co-produced and directed by Tsui Hark. It is a loosely based prequel to John Woo's A Better Tomorrow and A Better Tomorrow II.

<i>God of Gamblers III: Back to Shanghai</i> 1991 Hong Kong film

God of Gamblers III: Back to Shanghai is a 1991 Hong Kong comedy film, a sequel to God of Gamblers II (1990). The film is directed by Wong Jing, and stars Stephen Chow and Ng Man-tat. God of Gamblers III continues the story of the Saint of Gamblers (Chow), and does not feature the Knight of Gamblers or the God of Gamblers. The story is about Chow accidentally going back in time to Shanghai in 1937, as he tries to figure out how to return to Hong Kong in 1991.

<i>All About Ah-Long</i> 1989 Hong Kong film

All About Ah-Long is a 1989 Hong Kong family drama film directed by Johnnie To and starring Chow Yun-fat and Sylvia Chang, who also serve as the film's storywriters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherie Chung</span> Hong Kong actress

Cherie Chung Chor-hung is a retired Hong Kong film actress. Of Hakka ancestry, she was one of the top actresses in Hong Kong film during the 1980s.

<i>Eastern Condors</i> 1987 film directed by Sammo Hung

Eastern Condors is a 1987 Hong Kong action film directed by Sammo Hung, who also starred in the lead role. The film co-stars Yuen Biao, Joyce Godenzi, Yuen Wah, Lam Ching-ying, Yuen Woo-ping, Corey Yuen and Billy Chow. The film was released in Hong Kong on 9 July 1987.

<i>Boat People</i> (film) 1982 Hong Kong film

Boat People is a Hong Kong film directed by Ann Hui, first shown in theatres in 1982. The film stars George Lam, Andy Lau, Cora Miao, and Season Ma. At the second Hong Kong Film Awards, Boat People won awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best New Performer, Best Screenplay, and Best Art Direction. It was also screened out of competition at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. In 2005, at the 24th Hong Kong Film Awards, Boat People was ranked 8th in the list of 103 best Chinese-language films in the past 100 years.

<i>Love in a Fallen City</i> (film) 1984 Hong Kong film

Love in a Fallen City is a 1984 Hong Kong film directed by Ann Hui. It was adapted from the novella of the same name by Eileen Chang, and produced by Shaw Brothers Studio. The movie stars Chow Yun-fat and Cora Miao as the romantic leads.

<i>Love Unto Waste</i> 1986 Hong Kong drama film

Love Unto Waste is a 1986 Hong Kong drama film directed by Stanley Kwan and starring Tony Leung, Irene Wan, Elaine Jin, Tsai Chin, Chow Yun-fat with guest appearances by Elaine Chow and Winnie Yu.

<i>City War</i> 1988 Hong Kong film

City War is a 1988 Hong Kong crime action film directed by Suen Chung and starring Chow Yun-fat and Ti Lung in their third collaboration after A Better Tomorrow 1 and 2.

<i>Treasure Hunt</i> (1994 film) 1994 Hong Kong film

Treasure Hunt is a 1994 Hong Kong action comedy and romantic fantasy film written and directed by Jeffrey Lau and starring Chow Yun-fat and Jacklyn Wu.

<i>Project Gutenberg</i> (film) 2018 action film by Felix Chong

Project Gutenberg is a 2018 Hong Kong–Chinese action film written and directed by Felix Chong, and starring Chow Yun-fat and Aaron Kwok.