China Cry: A True Story

I saw this movie a few years ago. I was quite moved by it. It's a wonderful story of courage. Also, it's refreshingly honest, unlike most of the movies out there today. I totally recommend it to everyone.

The acting is great. And Julia Nickson-Sole is convincing as Sung.

As a result of the Japanese invasion of China, a wealthy family is displaced from their home and divested of their servants. The Commie replacement government was not very sympathetic toward this type of family either.

Now we see what is happening in degrees as she phased out of her cushy surroundings. She actually tries to comply with the new environment and approves of it.

Then the government helps her to learn about Christianity by accusing her of going to a Christian school as a child. She tries to explain that she only went to school and that did not make her Christian. The unbending government makes her suffer until in her confusion she turns to Christianity in hopes of a cure for the situation.

China cry is a movie of course based on the life of a Christian Chinese women (Neng yee, aka Nora Lam) whom is suffering at the hands of the Chinese government. After seeing China cry I was compelled to read the book. To tell you the truth they cut out so much information in the original story, that when they made this movie they lost important parts of Neng yee's life that should have been shared. That is a tad disappointing. Now I realize that in order for China cry to have fit in a proper running time it had to be chopped. But the movie would have been much more enjoyable if they would have mentioned a little more of her childhood and her life after going to Hong Kong (she moved to America and went on crusading throughout America and China -among other things-).

This movie shows the evils of totalitarianism, and the triumph of the human spirit.

The Communist Cultural Revolution in China is illustrated through one young woman's moving life experience. The themes explored are relevant to us in the West today, as our systems become more and more socialist and statist.

You think it can't happen here? It's happening already. See if you don't agree.

Predictably, you will see two different types of ratings. The movie gets generally high marks from believers, despite the valid criticisms from those who are not quite as enthusiastic. Why is that? One reason is the history of Christian film making is different from that of other types of studios. We in the church are used to seeing movies with actors and extras who are (probably unpaid) church members or Bible college students. We do not expect to be knocked out of our seats by a great star or astounding special effects. Not only that, but the thrust is different. Movies are made primarily to get a message out, not to make money. Believers are more interested in the purity of the message than its package.

The purity of the message of "China Cry" makes it a great movie and well worth the time of anyone.