Boat People is a 1982 film directed by Ann Hui and starring George Lam, Cora Miao, and Andy Lau. The film tells the story of a Japanese photojournalist named Akira who travels to Vietnam after the fall of Saigon to capture the aftermath of the war. However, he soon finds out that the situation in the country is not as he expected.
Akira witnesses the harsh treatment of the Vietnamese people under the communist regime and the establishment of "New Economic Zones" where people are forced to work long hours in terrible conditions. He meets a young orphan girl named Cam Nuong who becomes his guide and helps him navigate the dangerous political climate.
Through Cam Nuong's eyes, Akira sees the true face of the Vietnamese people and the devastating impact of war and oppression. He becomes determined to bring their story to the world and help them fight for their rights.
Boat People is a powerful portrayal of the human cost of war and political upheaval. It received critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of the Vietnamese people and their struggles. The film was also controversial at the time of its release for its political message and was banned in Vietnam.