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Title: Birds Of Passage (1998)
"BIRDS OF PASSAGE" is a film by French American director Neal Hollander. A film designed to showcase writer Regine Michel's unhappiness with Red China. This film is as much imagined as it is perceived. I have never seen so much water on broad a ship in a film this year other then the film "TITANIC". This film only helps to show China as an inhuman state with archaic laws and traditions. Red China has indeed been guilty of human rights violations, the persecution of minority religions, criminal mistreatment of Tibet, and general surliness. But the "One Child Policy" has not been a case to some degree. An enjoyable film that still entertains, with some great moments. But by the end one wonders who is rescuing whom.
As it opens, we already understand or guess much of what there is to know about CAPTAIN SAVIENKO (Stacy Keach) a man living by his wits and searching for a future that he hopes will take him far from the savage sea. The plot is about the victims of the "One Child Policy" in China. The bond between a Captain of a ship, and a determined French activist who risk her own life in order to save the women and children from an orphanage in China. Over 200 Chinese female refugees (mostly Children) on broad a cargo ship are led by MRS. BROWN (Charlotte DE Turckheim) in a Quest for freedom in the South China sea. MRS. BROWN initially told CAPTAIN SAVIENKO that she needs lots of cargo space for a "shipment of Birds." When in fact she was using a bunch of Sampans to ship Chinese women and children from an Orphanage illegally out of China.
The scenery in "BIRDS OF PASSAGE" was breathtaking, it shows the endless beauty of the South China sea. The Cinematography by Cinematographer John Cressey was superb. Unfortunately this film suffers from quite a weak story line. It really didn't focus on the main subject -- China's " One Child Policy ". The film employs the language of racism and haltered towards the Chinese government.
The chemistry between Keach and Turckheim are at times confusing. From start to finish, you often wonder who is actually rescuing whom. However, many scenes in this film are a delight to watch. The portrayal of CAPTAIN SAVIENKO by Stacy Keach was very well done. I especially loved the scenes where on broad the ship MRS. BROWN tried to persuade CAPTAIN SAVIENKO to let the 200 Chinese children and women come inside the ship. Meanwhile out in the dark on deck, the Chinese children and women are soaked in the intense Typhoon rain storm. MRS. BROWN then opens the Bridge window and forced CAPTAIN SAVIENKO to view the deck and said " See that woman out in the storm? She is about to deliver. Another unwanted girl, no doubt. You will, of course, want to watch her give birth in the rain?" MRS. BROWN then points to FU-LING (Linda Wang) the Chinese pregnant woman who is crying in pain alone in the storm and about to deliver a baby. She then asked the little Chinese girl CHOU (Lovely Sapid) to pass a cup of coffee to the Captain and mentioned "Drink your coffee. Maybe it will warm your heart." At that moment you just can't help but wonder what the Captain is going to do next? FU-LING later gave birth to a beautiful little baby girl, which symbolized "HOPE" for the future of these Chinese refugees. I also liked the scenes when one of the Chinese woman FAY FAY (Jean Veloso) tried to seduced the RADIO OPERATOR (Jeff Robinson), it was delightful and gave the film a lighter touch since the whole film was a bit too depressing.
Still, I must be clear: This is a good and interesting film. If I am dissatisfied, it is only because it contains the promise of being more than it is.
Star: Stacy Keach (Captain John Savienko), Charlotte de Turckheim (Mrs. Brown), Stefan Sao Nelet (First Officer), Linda Wang (Fu Ling), Jeff Robinson (Radio Operator), Isabelle Ling (Tsen May), Jean Veloso (Fay Fay), Telly Babasa (Aronald), Oscar Tevelez (Bosun), Lovely Sapid (Chou), Irene Oclarit (Kit), Joan Villarin (Li)
***
Directed by: Neal Hollander
Written by: Regine Michel
Cinematography by: John Cressey
Produced by: Patick Moine (Executive)
Alexander Wesemann (Co-producer)
Manny Chanco (Co-producer)
Oli Lapeeral Jr. (Associate Producer)
Original music: Chris Henrotte
Film Editing:Adeline Yoyotte
Art Direction: Michel Conche
Costume Design: Marylyn Fitousi
Production Companies: Les Film Du Triangeles (France)
WDR International (Germany)
First Preferred Communications (Hong Kong)
RSVP Film Ltd (Philippines)
(c) 1996 Film Review (c) 1998