I saw this depressing film "Birds Of Passage" in France. It was aired on France2. I WAS in a very good mood before viewing this film. It was written by French writer Regine Michel and directed by French director Neal Hollander. From start to finish you can't help but have this hatred and anger towards the Chinese government! Yet, you have the SAME feeling towards the ship's "Captain" which was played by actor Stacy Keach. The captain is an alcoholic who is confused and can't seem to handle anything (Especially women). The story tells a tale about the deteriorating "One Child" policy of China. A female activist "Mademoiselle Mercier" played by the lovely French actress Charlotte de Turckheim who risk her life in order to "Save" an orphanage (3 adult Women and 200 kids) in China. They were smuggled at night from China on broad a large ship and during their escape from the "Evil" Chinese Navy, they were all in a terrible rain storm which almost took their life.
While in a gun battle war with the Chinese Navy. The Captain's right hand man "First Officer" played by French actor Stefan Nelet gone "Crazy" shooting down the Chinese battle ship, and he later went on shooting the Chinese Flag "Nonstop" to show his own hatred towards China (What a laugh!) On top of it, there was a food shortage. So the mighty captain ordered his crew member "Bosun" played by French actor Oscar Travez to pirate another ship (The whole entire ship!) in order to get food supplies (Not believable at all!) ... What is more confusing is that one of the pregnant Chinese adult woman "Fu Ling" played by Chinese actress Linda Wang is about to give birth and she happened to be "Alone" in the storm by herself while the "Rest" of the Chinese women and kids are no where near her (Why would a pregnant woman be alone by herself in the dark of a storm?)... Then there was this large Chinese woman played by Chinese actress Jean Veloso who sexually attacked the Radio Operator played by French actor Jeff Robinson. (How can she be that strong? It was NOT believable and too funny to go on describing...) Also the kids on the ship seemed very "happy" not a bit frighten with all the ordeals surrounded them... I can go on and on about this film, but I must "Stop" right here. Lets put it this way, if you are Richard Gere or you happened to Hate the Chinese government and wants to be "Depressed" then this is the "Film" for you !!! For the rest of us lets just do something else with our time! ----- King Kong rate this one -----2 and a half Bananas