The Next Reel Film Podcast

We conclude our series on Hong Kong New Wave director Ann Hui and kick off a series on journalists with Hui’s 1982 film ‘Boat People,’ the film that really put her on the map. How does it work for us? Does it accurately portray journalists? And does that matter? Tune in to hear our thoughts!

Show Notes

"The government doesn’t let us mix with foreigners. You’ll get us into trouble if you take photos here.”

Ann Hui had been working on a documentary for a Hong Kong network when she interviewed a number of ‘boat people,’ people fleeing Vietnam from the rule of China. This piqued her curiosity in the subject and defined her next two films, The Story of Woo Viet and Boat People. This ‘Vietnam Trilogy’ of hers, and particularly the last film, gave Ann Hui a boost in her career as it took off around the world, marking her as one of the Hong Kong New Wave directors. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we close out our series on Hui as well as kick off a series on journalists with her 1982 film Boat People.

Boat People gives us the blank slate reporter we’ve been looking for.

There are many comments and reviews about this film that dislike the portrayal of the journalist as being too naïve. For us, it feels like a character choice and works well to set up the film as a journey for this photographer – our audience surrogate – as the layers are slowly peeled back to reveal what sort of atrocities are really going on in China-ruled Vietnam after the US left.

Add to that exceptional child actor performances as the kids that connect with our photographer, not to mention the visceral violence that shakes us up, and it’s easy to see why this film affects us. The cinematography, the music, the locations, the performances, the direction – everything works well to deliver a powerful film that depicts a unique conflict in this part of the world we learned little about in our history books.

We have differing opinions on how well the film stuck with us, but no matter how you slice it, it was a film that affected us and worked well. We have a great conversation about it so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.