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Journey to Beijing [viff] Dir: Evans Chan Country: Hong Kong

Looks like Hong Kong is trying to make a Canadian film. Ow...

Tom, the introducer guy said the word "reportage" twice during his introduction. Just when I was starting to dislike him because of the use of this amazingly film-snobby word, he insulted the Vancouver Sun. Okay, maybe he's not that bad. Then the director came to the microphone, thanking us for attending, despite the bad review in the Sun, and apologised for the fact that he's showing us the (very poorly) dubbed version of the film. Oh well.

Apparently, the Sun's problem with this film is that it came across as being too pro-China, almost to the point of being propaganda. I can see where they might have got this idea. Now, at risk of being not PC (oh heavens!), and not wanting to get into a discussion about imperialism, I must point out a matter of perspective. Here in North America, we're bombarded by American propaganda that says China is bad bad bad. When a film like this comes along and tries to give a balanced perspective on the matter, it's branded as Chinese propaganda. Which is better- imperialism or China?

It's a pity the film was bad for so many other reasons though. The reason I call it a Canadian film is that, much like most Canadian films, it had an excellent premise, but completely fouled up the execution thereof. The film covered the events surrounding a walk from Hong Kong to Beijing to raise money and promote literacy for Chinese peasants. What would have been a great opportunity for a road film with wonderful scenery, little subplots and the trials and tribulations of a very long walk, turned into a dull picture, poorly photographed, cheesy digital effects, with boring, meandering, pointless interviews that just went on too long.