The literal translation of the title of this movie is: After the blue light flashes.
This movie is a symbol of the Chinese reform that was to be started, and non-Chinese audience, as well as Chinese kids who were born in the 1980's needs to know some Chinese history in order to appreciate this film:
After the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, China was dominated by the die hard hard line conservatives who still adored Mao, despite their hatred to the Cultural Revolution, and they made excuses for Mao by blaming the Gang of Four for the Cultural Revolution.
These hard line conservative was removed from the offices in 1979 and consequently, the Chinese reform took off in 1980's. The drama played out in the lives of ordinary Chinese citizen symbolize this change of regime.