The Story of Woo Viet (1981)

The Story of Woo Viet was a harsh look at the struggles Vietnamese refugees faced when seeking a better life. The story may have veered into melodramatic territory at times but director Ann Hui didn’t shy away from the gritty underside of Chinatown. A young Chow Yun Fat starred in the titular role. While the mannerisms he would develop over the years were not there yet, the charisma was.

Wu Yuet travels aboard a crowded boat sailing from Vietnam, where death had been a constant companion. He arrives in Hong Kong as a refugee hoping to find his pen pal, Lee Lap Quan. Vietnamese agents kill several refugees, including one of Wu’s friends. When they come for him, the ex-soldier is prepared. Now he will need Lee’s help to escape Hong Kong quickly. The human smugglers aka snakeheads designate him as Japanese. While attempting to learn a few key phrases he meets another woman on a fake passport leaving when he does. They bond over their similar situations and begin a relationship. Both are hopeful about going to America to live out their dreams. On a layover in Manila, the smugglers have different plans for Shum Ching. She is trafficked to a brothel with other women. Wu injures a cop chasing after her and ends up having to work for the crime lord in Chinatown to earn enough money to buy her back.

Wu Yuet ran into violence all along his travels. Wherever he turned, death and hardships awaited. He began to fear every Chinatown would be the same for him. An older assassin working for crime lord Chung Yee portends a possible future for Wu. A future with nothing but booze, despair and blood. Chung Yee, with his connections and knife wielding son manipulated the various players with no concern for them.

Chow Yun Fat was stunning in this film. It was hard to glance away from him for even a second. Lo Lieh was perfect as the aging assassin with his last shred of humanity dangling by a thread. Cora Miao as the devoted pen pal had little to do after the first few scenes. Cherie Chung’s main job was to look beautiful and vulnerable which she did admirably.

The Story of Woo Viet was a fairly accomplished film for 1981. Many of the films from this time were not especially polished, this film included. While not as deep or well done as her Boat People (1982), Ann Hui still shed a light on the vulnerability of refugees who were only seeking whatever everyone wanted-a home, safety, enough food to eat, and a purpose. Wu and Shum had dreams of a simple life, free of violence and fear. Sadly, too often even meager dreams were shattered in the back alleys of Chinatown.

22 September 2025
I did give this a little pre-1990 ratings bump based on a curve.

Triggers: Child murder, violence, bare breasts. Little people were also shown as cheap entertainment.

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