China Cry

China Cry is a 1990 American biographical film set during rise of the communist state in China, based on the book by Nora Lam.^[1]

China Cry
Directed by	James F. Collier
Screenplay by	James F. Collier
Based on	China Cry by Nora Lam and Irene Burk Harrell
Produced by	Don L. Parker
Starring	Julia Nickson-Soul France Nuyen James Shigeta
Cinematography	David Worth
Edited by	Duane Hartzell, Ruby Yang
Music by	Joel Hirschhorn, Al Kasha; "No One But You" performed by Irene Cara
Production companies	Parakletus, TBN Films
Distributed by	Penland Productions
Release date	2 November 1990 (1990-11-02) (USA)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	USA
Language	English
Box office	US$4,212,828

It is set in the 1950s based on the true story of Sung Neng Yee (played by Julia Nickson-Soul), and also stars Russell Wong.

Born into a wealthy Chinese family, Nora is first eager to become part of Mao Zedong's "new society". But the Maoist regime brings hardship and misery to her family. She is arrested by authorities, and she believes that only the Lord Jesus Christ must have saved her when she miraculously survives a firing squad whilst being condemned as a Committed Christian from a Christian Intellectual family (by a Northern Chinese State Security Woman Officer- after she urges her to kiss the Red Flag).

She is then taken to a labour camp while pregnant, but once again, survives to take her children and family to freedom, which is finally granted after she sends (from the Labour Camp in Shanghai) three copies of the same telegram: one to Chairman Mao; and the other two to Prime Minister Chu & Beijing Police Headquarters.

The film was directed by James F. Collier (who also directed The Hiding Place and Joni), and is an example of positive Asian characters in a Christian-themed film.

The film's theme song "No One But You" is performed by Irene Cara.

Box office

The Los Angeles Times reported in 1991 that despite mostly "downbeat" reviews it did not stop China Cry from grossing over $4 million since it's release in the previous autumn.^[2]

Critical reception

Los Angeles Times, "In style and tone it’s old-fashioned, melodramatic and occasionally ponderous, but it is also marked by the solid craftsmanship, unmistakable commitment and genuine spirituality typical of the work of its capable writer-director James F. Collier, long associated with Billy Graham’s now-defunct World Wide Pictures."^[3]

The New York Times, ""China Cry" would like to be the Asian-American answer to "Ben Hur" but the tale is told too choppily to gather much momentum, and the acting is tentative."^[4]