Review: Criterion's 'Boat People' Relevant and Impactful

One of cinema's beautiful inevitabilities is that it can reflect reality back to us in interesting, heartbreaking and eye-opening ways. The Criterion Collection's latest release, Ann Hui's 1982 film "Boat People," hits relevancy hard in its examination of The Vietnam War, its impact on the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees who had to flee their homeland during the conflict, and the repercussions that followed in the years to come. It's a unique hurt to watch this film with the knowledge of current refugees crisis and inhumane acts happening in Ukraine, and those parallels become monumentally powerful; but because of these threads, the cinematic language becomes so much more important in its empathetic communication.

The film found its roots in the late 1970s, where Hui interviewed a number of refugees during the production of other films and learned more about their experiences. After the war, Hui was given permission to film on Hainan Island and create this work, which follows the story of a Japanese photojournalist (George Lam) who travels to Vietnam three years after the Communist takeover. A country supposedly in rebirth, we discover far more destitution, brutality, and oppression lying beneath the surface of this post-war nation. With a remarkably humanistic hand, Hui blends shocking realities and urgency with a compelling story and exceptionally filmed images.

In this new, restored 4K digital transfer, approved by Hui, collectors can appreciate the quality aesthetics of this searing work. As for the supplemental materials on this Criterion Collection Blu-ray release, viewers will find a new conversation with Hui and filmmaker Stanley Kwan, who served as the assistant director on "Boat People." A 2020 documentary titled "Keep Rolling" profiles Hui, and was made by Hui's longtime production designer and art director. An additional documentary, 1997's "As Time Goes By," is a self-portrait by Hui produced by Peggy Chiao. In the interior booklet, you'll find two great essays by film critic Justin Chang and scholar Vinh Nguyen.

Considered by most to be the masterpiece of Hui's career, "Boat People" is yet another worthy entry of world cinema within the esteemed Criterion Collection. The images lensed here are hauntingly indelible, and are capable of chilling you to the bone. "Boat People" is a film you won't forget, and you shouldn't.

"Boat People" is now available from Criterion Collection on Blu-ray for the suggested retail price of $31.96