[Review] Our Time Will Come: May We All Live Long, Sharing the Moon's Beauty Across a Thousand Miles
First, I'd like to thank Distribution Workshop for inviting me to an advance screening of Our Time Will Come. I had been eagerly anticipating this film by director Ann Hui, and Our Time Will Come certainly did not disappoint.
Our Time Will Come can roughly be divided into three parts: the rescue of cultural figures in Hong Kong, Fang Lan's (Zhou Xun) experience joining the East River Column guerrilla force to resist the Japanese, and intercut interview segments with Ben (Tony Leung Ka-fai). The initial part of the plot primarily depicts an operation by the East River Column to rescue Hong Kong cultural figures, and Fang Lan's first encounter with Liu Heizai (Eddie Peng). Because this part of the film seems largely unrelated to the later sections, the transition does appear a bit abrupt and disjointed, leading audiences to question the purpose of the initial plot. However, I believe that since the subsequent parts of the film focus heavily on character development and emotional changes, with fewer detailed descriptions of guerrilla operations, the first part allows the audience to concretely understand the situation at the time, and how the guerrillas fought against the Japanese and rescued cultural figures. The side effect of this approach, however, is that the film seems top-heavy, with the first half's plot being more stirring, while the second half's pace is slower.
Although Our Time Will Come tells the story of Hong Kong during its occupation in World War II, there are not many war scenes in the film. The plot focuses more on the characters' daily lives, personalities, and emotional transformations. There are also many characters in the film, some appearing in only one or two scenes. While some viewers might find certain characters or plots dispensable, I believe this better highlights the film's grand historical backdrop. During the occupation of Hong Kong, the entire society was in turmoil. Citizens lived in constant fear every day, and even the anti-Japanese guerrillas could only operate in secret. This is reflected in the film's characters: ordinary citizens like Fang Lan's cousin (played by Tong Ning) and aunt (Paw Hee-ching ) lead mundane lives, simply trying to preserve their own lives and those of their families. Meanwhile, guerrilla members (played by Candy Lo, Ivana Wong, etc.) or spies (Jessie Li, etc.) who wish to work for Hong Kong's liberation live in daily apprehension, constantly risking their lives, and thus must act opportunistically, retreating when appropriate. Many films we've seen in the past emphasize how times create heroes, but this film doesn't overly emphasize heroism. Instead, it emphasizes that every character is flesh and blood, with their own worries, and what they pursue is the safe survival of the important people around them.
As I mentioned above, the film's focus is on the characters' experiences and emotional changes, and this relies on the excellent performances of the cast. Among them, the biggest highlight is certainly Deanie Ip, who, after A Simple Life, once again collaborates with Ann Hui. Deanie Ip plays Fang Lan's mother, and from her very first conversation with Mrs. Mao Dun, she commands the scene, her tone and demeanor precise yet unforced. Although Zhou Xun's Fang Lan is the protagonist of the film, Deanie Ip is still very discerning and layered in her interactions with her: from initially worrying about Fang Lan joining the guerrilla force and fearing Japanese searches at night; to later personally delivering intelligence while comforting Ivana Wong's character, and pretending to be an ignorant old woman to the Japanese soldiers... Deanie Ip's performance in every scene is impeccable, and her final scene in the Japanese military camp is incredibly moving and heartbreaking. As for the leads Zhou Xun and Eddie Peng, their performances are decent, but since they both required additional voice dubbing, it remains difficult for audiences to fully immerse themselves. The film features many famous personalities and singers in cameo roles, with Leung Man-tao and Adam Wong as cultural figures being the most prominent, eliciting cheers from the audience upon their appearance.
The film is primarily a character drama, and the moving score is indispensable. Although the film's subject matter is the Anti-Japanese War, the score was composed by Japanese music master Joe Hisaishi, and the effect is truly outstanding. Many of the musical pieces are highly memorable and evocative, making the scenes more poignant while also clearly identifying them as the work of this master. Furthermore, I also really appreciate the outdoor scenes of the Hong Kong countryside in the film, especially locations like Nam Sang Wai and Sha Lo Tung. They truly capture the beauty of nature and prove that beyond the high-rise buildings and nightscapes of the urban areas, Hong Kong's wild landscapes are also very impressive.
As for the interview segments with Ben, played by Tony Leung Ka-fai, I found them particularly profound. First, the performance by Best Actor Tony Leung Ka-fai is exceptional. He fully embodies the old man's weathered look and his longing for departed loved ones, and his subtle portrayal of a stutter is handled very well. Second, this section features Ann Hui herself, interviewing citizens from the period of Hong Kong's occupation in a mockumentary style, seemingly emphasizing the importance of oral history in the current information-rich era, and adding a touch of authenticity to the film. These elderly individuals share their personal experiences, highlighting that these "histories" are flesh and blood, real occurrences, not just "stories" compiled by a single medium or authority.
The final scene of the film depicts today's bustling Hong Kong. Just looking at such a beautiful night view and the stable lives of its citizens, who would imagine that the people of this place once lived in fear and apprehension every day? Finally, while writing this review, I reread Su Shi's "Shui Diao Ge Tou," and after finishing it, I felt that Our Time Will Come carried even more profound meaning:
“When will the moon be clear and bright?
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the clear sky.
In the heavens on this night,
I wonder what season it would be?
I’d like to ride the wind to fly home.
Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions
are much too high and cold for me.
Dancing with my moonlit shadow,
It does not seem like the human world.
The moon rounds the red mansion,
Stoops to silk-pad doors,
Shines upon the sleepless,
Bearing no grudge,
Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?
People experience sorrow, joy, separation and reunion,
The moon may be dim or bright, round or crescent shaped,
This imperfection has been going on since the beginning of time.
May we all be blessed with longevity,
Though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.”