This is a joint Chinese-Hong Kong project

What differs this joint Chinese-Hong Kong production from the rest of the joint Chinese-Hong Kong productions is that this one is one of the first that a Hong Kong director who was not pro-China was allowed to have the right to direct in China.   

Previously, only pro-China directors were given such rights, or at least those directors who were considered by others as pro-China, for example, Mr. Han-Hsiang Li, the greatest and most famous director of Hong Kong, whose work was unfortunately banned in Taiwan during the 1980's because the nationalists considered him of being too close to communists, even though he was purely for business.  Although the director in this case was not as close to China as Mr. Li, he was at least considered neutral by others.

The importance of this movie is hence not in what it depicts, but in the fact that the permission of being directed by somebody not close to communist regime symbolized a tiny, yet important step toward political liberalization.

Mandarin-language cinema across Mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore explores historical reflection, cultural identity, and personal sacrifice, often expressed through poetic visuals and sweeping narratives. In Mainland China, this takes the form of allegory and large-scale epics that reflect on national history. Taiwan emphasizes intimate modernist realism, generational change, and the search for identity. Singapore contributes stories of migration, multiculturalism, and the negotiation of tradition in a globalized city.

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The friendship between a thief turned Chinese opera performer and an incorruptible police officer.

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