Film 'Back to 1942': Tragedy without tears (2)

However, it's hard for most audiences to cry after they see Back to 1942. Crying is a way to let out strong emotions, but Back to 1942 provides no such release.

Victims of the 1942 famine that we see on the screen do not cry or shout when they lose their families. They keep silent and continue walking forward, because death has become the most common thing along the road. Sometimes, they even feel happy for those who die, for they believe the quicker you leave this world, the less you will suffer.

Audiences leave the cinema also in silence, like the victims.

Another point some people mention is that Back to 1942 is braver than Aftershock, for the former is able to point out the reality of the human condition, where the latter failed.

If we think deeper, we will realize drought and locusts alone would not cause the death of 3 million people. The truth is that China had just endured almost a century of wars and was at that time in the middle of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). The Kuomintang government, the then central government, focused their major energy on fighting battles, and with a weak foundation and rampant corruption, the government could spare little money or manpower for disaster relief.

By comparison, Aftershock gives a much lighter description of the background - the earthquake occurred in the last year of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). It was a time most Chinese people were busy either launching public criticism activities against "counter revolutionaries" and "pro-capitalist rightists," or hiding from them.

Still, Back to 1942 contains certain elements that I believe are not necessary. For example, in two explosion scenes, people are blown up to give a stronger visual impact, but it may be too graphic for many viewers, especially young ones. And in the very end, the film reveals the final fate of certain characters with written words. It seems unnecessary and redundant, since the audience can already predict their fate.

But on the whole, Back to 1942 is certainly one of the most anticipated films of this year, and it reminds audiences not to let such issues be forgotten again.

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