Brave to Explore the World

The film tells the story of two brothers, Xiang Dong (played by Woo Yuen-sum) and Xiang Ming (played by Yin Yangming), who smuggle into Hong Kong and venture into the new world. Audiences without much life experience may not be interested in the film's dark tone and melancholic themes; the cruel depiction of life in mainland China has no 'viewing value.' As a Hong Kong movie, it seems extremely abnormal, but upon reading about this film made in 1990 in 2004, we clearly sensed an epic flavor. The screenwriter Nan Yan has taken a route that escapes commercialism from 'Prison on Fire' to 'School on Fire.' 'The Adventures of a New World' is the first film to set its sights beyond Hong Kong, and the environmental oppression on individuals is heavier. The relative freedom of expression allows the critique of the outdated system to carry more weight than the reflections made by eyewitnesses of historical events in mainland China, within the permissible limits of the ruling class. The gray imagery of Beijing, pressing down on the heart, can overshadow 'East Palace West Palace' and 'Lan Yu.' For this reason alone, this film is a must-see, not to mention the heroic director Woo Yuen-sum! In 'A Better Tomorrow' and 'Full Alert,' we always complain that he has too little screen time; this time, we need not be disappointed.