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Han Geng and Mitchell Hoog, stars of "Against All Odds," discussed the film's real-life inspiration and its production in an exclusive interview with China.org.cn. They also shared a message commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Directed by Lau Ho-Leung, the film stars Han Geng, Mitchell Hoog, Chen Yongsheng and Louise Wong. It tells the story of an American fighter pilot shot down over enemy-occupied Hong Kong during World War II, who was rescued by a local guerrilla unit and an underground operative of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The film is inspired by the real-life experiences of Flying Tiger pilot Lieutenant Donald W. Kerr in Hong Kong during World War II.

"My whole family are pilots, so playing a pilot is something that I've always wanted to do," Mitchell Hoog told China.org.cn. "When the story came along, I read the script, and just the humanity in the script, and the courage that it takes, and the fact that it's a true story, and reading Donald Kerr's journals, which this is inspired by, I was just amazed. "

About 80 years ago, Hong Kong, then a British colony, fell to Japanese invaders. The film highlights the Dongjiang (East River) Column, a local Communist guerrilla force, and Hong Kong's resistance efforts during the war. The story of sacrifice and struggle has deeply moved many viewers.

Cast and crew of "Against All Odds" pose for a photo at the film's premiere in Beijing, Aug. 31, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Wishart Media]

Chinese pop star and actor Han Geng plays the role of an underground CPC operative in the movie. "I was really interested in it, because I'd been wanting to play the role of an ordinary person who does something great," he said, noting that the character turned out to be more layered and complex than he had expected. 

"I think my character was among a small group of people back then, an underground CPC member. He worked in circumstances where there was barely any light in sight, yet he himself shone bright with hope," Han elaborated. 

Hoog recalled facing daily challenges during filming, including intense heat, humidity, and layered costumes that complicated makeup and physical endurance. He also mentioned the difficulty of remaining emotionally engaged throughout the long shooting days. Initially, he struggled with language barriers and cultural adjustments but soon formed strong bonds with the cast and crew.

Han expressed his astonishment at the meticulously recreated sets of 1940s Hung Hom and Kowloon, built from scratch by the art team. He described the immersive and heavy atmosphere, noting that the bombed-out scenes felt incredibly real. The wartime setting also affected him deeply — he could hardly bring himself to look at the makeup-covered cast members lying on the ground. During filming, the sound of crying, including children screaming and weeping, intensified the emotional weight of the scenes.

"It was really hard. I think all the actors got choked up. I got goosebumps, and anger welled up. You don't want this to happen. You just want to change everything," he added.

Noting the Flying Tigers — the American volunteer pilots who fought alongside Chinese forces in the War of Resistance — Mitchell Hoog said he found them fascinating because "they were called the outlaws of the sky," describing them as a bunch of "rowdy pilots" and "hot shots." He added, "But I have the utmost respect."

The American actor felt that the story would stay with him for the rest of his life, describing it as a profoundly sad yet powerful chapter of history. "All I can say is that what I learned from the film is that we can find humanity in whatever situation we're in and whatever people we're interacting with. Even if we don't speak the same language, we can still find common ground," he said. 

A poster for "Against All Odds." [Image courtesy of Huaxia Film]

Han Geng believes that the film can help more people learn about the Dongjiang Column, but he also emphasized that there are countless similar stories and many more individuals like them — some of whom remain entirely unknown to people today.

"I hope everyone can remember this history and pay tribute to these predecessors," he said. "I also hope everyone truly cherishes the peaceful era we live in now. We should show the world the true brilliance of the Chinese people's humanity and kindness."