The plot of the "Black Cannon Incident" compares to many of the Hollywood films. This film captures the audience's attention to its story line while still delivering a strong message. Set in a society lacking trust in others, the main character, Zhao's telegraph message raises suspicion and brings about an investigation. The investigation becomes harmful for the company and Zhao and the film concludes with both sides on the losing end. The filmmakers criticizes the communist system under Deng Xiao Ping by portraying their distrust in others and in the end, their unwillingness to admit their mistake.

If the filmmakers portrays the general scene of China in the 1980, then it is amazing how Chinese citizens can live under that kind of rule and still maintain their sanity. For example, Zhao was an intellectual who is a great asset to his company but because of a simple telegraph, the company doubts him and risks losing millions of dollars to investigate him. This decision eventually backfires and hurts the company. Perhaps because of the type of government in China, the leaders feel more pressure to suppress any acts of resistance. Even after Zhao reveals his "Black Cannon," the Party Secretary maintains her views and refuses to back down. Although Zhao's innocence was proven, he does not win but instead, the lady party secretary pressures him to "never play chess again."

While on the surface the German Engineer Han was treated with respect, the Chinese never fully trusts him and cheats him. The company CEO reveals to his executive board that while Han wanted a Chinese antique, he was given a fraudulent item. Although the Chinese company trusts Han to come assist them in their project, they are quick to doubt him and even place blame on him. The filmmaker appears to favor westerners because Han was portrayed as open and non-secretive. While Han firmly defends his company and his country, he quickly apologizes. Han willingly takes his stand and admits his mistakes when his calculations prove wrong. The film wants the audience to imitate that ability of the Han and criticize the suspicious Party Secretary.

Unless this film was interpreted incorrectly, it is amazing how the "Black Cannon Incident" can pass through the censors. The film openly criticizes the way of the communist party and even at the Chinese culture as a whole. Because of the dislike of communism in a democratic country, this film will be widely accepted here in America. The plot of this film and the style of the director resemble many western films. In general, this film is both interesting and profound.

This film receives 4 go's because I thought it was good, and it poked fun at communist China :-).