The Romance of Book and Sword
dir. Ann Hui · 1987
The struggle for justice and identity often reveals the harsh reality that moral ideals can be crushed by the overwhelming force of power.
Plot
The story is based on the popular novel developed from folk legend. It goes that the Manchurian emperor Qianlong of China (circa 18th Century) was actually the son of a Han Chinese, the subject ethnicity. His brother of blood, Chen Jialuo just happened to be the chief of the Red Flower Society, an anti-Manchu secret society. Chen, a learned scholar, thought he could get his brother turn his back on the Manchu and restore the Han Chinese reign. But the story was ended by brutal clearence of the society members. It reflects one of the dark pages in Chinese culture, that ethics and humanity always become impotent when countered with power.
Why watch
"The Romance of Book and Sword" plunges viewers into the depths of loyalty and sacrifice amidst the turbulent tides of history. Ann Hui masterfully weaves a tale of brotherhood and moral complexity that resonates with anyone who grapples with the ethical dilemmas posed by power and identity.