"Breaking Hell" is not just an entertaining movie, but it is a film that touches the hearts of the audience with simple but profound everyday details. The film realistically depicts the lives of ordinary people in society. Everyone has to work hard to earn a living, but at the same time, they are also willing to help each other, creating a united and loving community.
The film sends a message to change outdated beliefs, that easing the pain of those left behind is just as important as sending the souls to the other world.
The new golden age of Hong Kong cinema
Dao Sanh (played by Huynh Tu Hoa) works as a wedding planner but has failed due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. He had no choice but to switch to funeral services. Jokingly, "if you can't make a living from the living, then switching to the dead is a natural thing."
Dao Sanh was taught by Master Van (played by Hua Quan Van) - a strict and principled funeral priest - about the rituals from cleaning corpses to the spiritual form of "Breaking Hell" which, according to folk legend, is to help the deceased to be liberated to the immortal world.
Taoist Monk Wen has an only son, Guo Bin (played by Chu Pak-hong), and a daughter, Wen Yue (played by Michelle Wai). However, because Bin married a Catholic woman, his father did not approve of his legitimate succession to the family business. Meanwhile, Dao Sheng asked Bin for help to become better at the funeral business.
The film borrows death to tell stories of the living
The dramatic and emotional climax at the end of the film, when the old and weak master Van passed away, Dao Sanh dared to ask his two biological sons, Ban and Van Nguyet, to directly perform the "Breaking Hell" ritual for their father. This met with fierce opposition from other Taoist priests as well as many people attending the funeral who were prejudiced against men and women, and had never accepted the right of women to perform the "Breaking Hell" ritual.
Van Nguyet was a quiet person, but she was the one who followed the ambulances to take patients to the hospital. She carried out her mission of saving people with all her heart, but was rarely appreciated by her strict father because she was a woman. Only when Mr. Van passed away did she understand her father's love for her and know that her name meant "treasure" to him.
All to portray a modern-day Hong Kong, where the loudest echoes are of fierce generational conflict and quietly devastating change.
From coming to the funeral profession just to earn money, Dao Sanh gradually changed his mentality in a more positive direction. He became more devoted to his job of “paying respect to the dead”, sharing the loss with the families, willing to help the bereaved family and the deceased in the most appropriate way, even if sometimes he had to do things differently from the usual customs and principles.
In an unstable economy, only death is certain.
In a working environment filled with tears between the departed and the living, Dao Sanh realized that the outdated mystical customs needed to be changed to preserve traditional beliefs and culture, while being balanced and flexible to suit the times. Otherwise, the mystical rituals would be just superstitions and not much meaningful in respecting and remembering the deceased.
Breaking Hell then leads the viewer into the funerals, deaths and beliefs of the people there.
A profound life story
Exploiting the most unique material of Hong Kong cinema, director Anselm Chan left the audience with a thought about the natural law of birth - aging - illness - death that occurs in life. The film begins slowly telling the stories of different fates, thereby reflecting a multi-dimensional perspective on the burning issues in modern life such as male chauvinism, male pressure, love, family affection. In the second half of the film, valuable scenes appear one after another like a fire that is fanned to a brilliant flame at the end of each prison break-out ritual.
The film conveys the message: enjoy this life with tolerance and optimism because life and death are unpredictable and no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
"The dead have settled their fate", that is an unchangeable truth. But what about "the living"? They must continue to live, must face the difficulties and challenges of life. "Breaking Hell" has conveyed a strong message about the resilient will, the optimistic spirit and the desire to live a beautiful life of human beings.
As Dao Sanh narrated at the end of the film: "On the bus of life, let's live happily because it is not easy to visit this world. Instead of worrying, let's enjoy and live a colorful life." Life is a thorny journey, but also full of beautiful things. Instead of worrying and being afraid, let's enjoy every moment, live to the fullest for our passions and dreams.
Although the film mostly revolves around funerals, imbued with the sadness of many fates, light still flashes at the end when father-son love and teacher-student love overcome adversity to shine.
Each of us is a "treasure" - as the Taoist priest Van named his daughter Van Nguyet. Each person has their own value, their own role in this life. Cherish yourself, love those around you, live a meaningful and memorable life.
In addition to the light and charming comedy situations that are typical of TVB, the film is also a collection of stories with many layers of depth and depth, easily bringing tears to the audience. With unique cultural elements and impressive performances from veteran names of Hong Kong cinema such as Hui Kwan Man, Huynh Tu Hoa and Ve Thi Nha, “Breaking Through Hell” is not only an entertaining work but also a touching journey about life, death and faith.
Hell Breaker is not only an entertaining work but also a touching journey about life, death and faith.
"Breaking Hell" is not just an entertaining film, it is a work of art imbued with human spirit, reflecting social issues and human concerns in modern life. The film has touched the hearts of millions of viewers, making them reflect on the meaning of life, the value of humanity and the desire for freedom.
The success of "Breaking Inferno" is not only the pride of Hong Kong cinema but also a great inspiration for young filmmakers. It shows that, with talent, passion and creativity, we can create truly valuable cinematic works, conquer the hearts of audiences and make history.
