Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Chan's romantic comedy-drama "Comrades: Almost a Love Story" was released almost two decades ago. However, due to socio-political tension between Hong Kong and China, the film was never released in the mainland until now. It has taken the film 19 years before being approved for mainland China screening.
The film centers on two characters Xiaojun and Chiao brought together by destiny, albeit unsure if to be friends or lovers. The two characters were played by Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung, respectively.
Xiaojun arrives in Hong Kong from China, full of ambitions and dreams about city life and very determined to earn enough cash so he can send for his fiancee and they can finally get married. With the help of his aunt, Xiaojun was able to find cheap accommodations and a job with a butcher as a delivery boy on board a bicycle. On his day-off, he ate at a McDonalds fast-food restaurant and was waited on by Chiao, a girl who, like him, came from mainland China and migrated to Hong Kong to seek greener pastures.
Chiao was immediately taken with Xiaojun, but his self-confidence is so low, thinking he was just a country boy who cannot even speak Cantonese or English. Chiao helped Xiaojun get English lessons and taught him about Hong Kong life. Chiao also gave him an idea for a business opportunity--that Xiao sell flowers using his bike. The two became best friends. Feeling great longing for being so far from home, leaning on each other, eventually, the two became lovers.
They realized they made a mistake. Xiaojun went back to China and married his fiancee. Chiao opened a flower shop and became involved with a gangster.
Years passed and Xiaojun realized he made a mistake of letting Chiao go. He came back to Hong Kong to look for her.
The movie was a huge hit in Hong Kong. It garnered nine awards at the 1997 Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Director. Maggie Cheung also won Best Actress.