A Tale of Three Cities deals with the desperate love of a couple who, separated by war, must find the strength to reach safety and be together. During the Sino-Japanese war, a widow and opium smuggler, Yuerong, and a widower, Daolong, fall hopelessly in love. But the fairy tale romance is put on hold when Daolong becomes a wanted man, with the authorities suspecting him of being a spy for the Chinese Nationalist Party. As the Japanese army steps ups its bombing campaigns in the region, the couple try to flee to Hong Kong via Anhui. But only Daolong succeeds in getting away, making it to Hong Kong and awaiting Yuerong’s arrival. Like other female characters in Mabel Cheung’s films, Yuerong is fragile yet strong. Her strength serves as a source of power that can protect both her children and her love. Yuerong and Daolong do eventually reunite in Hong Kong and have a baby boy, Gangsheng, who grows up to be none other than the martial arts film star Jackie Chan. (KIM Ji-seok)