Chinese Box

For other uses, see Chinese box (disambiguation).

Chinese Box
DVD cover of Chinese Box
Directed by	Wayne Wang
Produced by	Lydia Dean Pilcher Jean-Louis Piel Wayne Wang
Written by	Jean-Claude Carrière Larry Gross Paul Theroux Wayne Wang
Starring	Jeremy Irons Gong Li Maggie Cheung Ruben Blades
Music by	Graeme Revell
Cinematography	Vilko Filac
Editing by	Christopher Tellefsen
Distributed by	Trimark Pictures
Release date(s)	1997
Running time	99 minutes

Chinese Box is a 1997 movie directed by Wayne Wang and starring Jeremy Irons, Gong Li, Maggie Cheung and Michael Hui.

The movie is set and was made at the time of Hong Kong's handover to the People's Republic of China on June 30, 1997. The film credits Paul Theroux as a source for the story, based on themes he explores in his 1997 novel Kowloon Tong.

Plot

The movie unfolds at least nine different stories on very different levels. First, there is John as a reporter, trying to capture the interesting things in daily life of Hong Kong and persuading himself that in this way he gives his life a meaning.

Second, there is Vivian, who is trying to find a balance in life, trying to escape from the underground and forget about her past, but is not allowed to do so because of the prejudices that go back thousands of years in the Chinese society (including Hong Kong).

Third, there is Vivian (still), with a possibility to discard all the problems she has with a simple option of marrying John and going to the West. But she knows that would just be running away from the core of the problem and it wouldn't really be a long-term solution, because of different cultural backgrounds and maybe even because of a subtle uncertainty regarding John's ex-wife and ex-life.

Fourth, there is Jean, with her own story and with a typical Hong Kong here-today-who-knows-where-tomorrow attitude. Living the moment, enjoying and suffering at the same time, perfect reflection of modern life, especially so easily seen in Hong Kong. She understands all the different kinds of hardships that come in life but also understands where to draw the line in selling herself. John tries to help her, but does that in a dishonest way, which disappoints her tremendously. Jean's story was inspired by a short story by the American-British author Rachel Ingalls, according to a note in the film's credits.^[1][2]

Fifth, there is friendship between John and Jim. Close, mutually understanding, with enough humor and sarcasm to keep them going even through the bad days.

Sixth, there is Chang, a man of power, of high position, but a wimp in his heart. Money can't replace what he doesn't have in personality. No charisma, no morality, no care. Just money and status. He is ashamed of Vivian, and loves her in his own pathetic, cowardly way at the same time. He doesn't marry her but rather arranges a mock wedding photo-shoot, so Vivian would have some pictures (which she burns the same night). He is very much into "saving face" and can not find an equilibrium in his life (professional nor personal).

Seventh, there are John and Vivian. A story of true love that just isn't meant to be. Not because they wouldn't want it to, but because of the constraints of the society they live in.

Eighth, there is John (again), perplexed with his own mortality of which awareness appears suddenly and without preparation. Ninth, there is the political aspect of Hong Kong politically becoming a part of China again, which (at the time) was a great uncertainty.

Filming locations

The movie shows the actual temporary press room, specially set up for the press coverage of the handover, and located in the old part of the Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Scenes were shot at the Main Bar of the Foreign Correspondents' Club.^[3]

The main characters residence in the film was shot in a flat located along the mid-levels escalator ride, just below Hollywood Road Central.

Cast and roles include

• Jeremy Irons - John
• Gong Li - Vivian
• Maggie Cheung - Jean
• Michael Hui - Chang
• Rubén Blades - Jim
• Jared Harris - William
• Chaplin Chang - Homeless Man
• Noel Rands - John's Friend at New Year's Party
• Emma Lucia - Amanda Everheart
• Ken Bennett - Rick
• Russell Cawthorne - New Year's Party MC
• Emotion Cheung - William Wong
• Harvey Stockwin - Weeks
• Jonathan Midgley - Jonathan
• Bruce Walker - Bruce
• Angelica Lofgren - Baby-Lin
• Dr. Julian Chang - Dr. Chang
• Jian Rui Chao - Businessman #1
• Wai Sing Chau - Businessman #2
• Hung Lo - Businessman #3
• Shirley Hung - Girlfriend #1
• Michelle Yeung - Girlfriend #2
• Alex Ng - Drunk karaoke singer
• Chiu Wah Lee - Minibus passenger
• Maria Cordero - Mamasan
• Pao Fong - Godfather
• Hui Fan - Godfather's wife
• Lam Man Cheung - Wedding photographer
• Lee Siu-kei - Gangster #1
• Leung Chi On - Gangster #2
• Tse Yuen Fat - Gangster #3
• Roderick Lee - Manhattan Club bouncer
• Hui Li - Black Moon hostess
• Maria St. Lynne - Black Moon hostess
• Josie Ho - Lilly

See also

• List of movies set in Hong Kong

References

1. ^ http://www.avclub.com/articles/wayne-wang,13516/
2. ^ http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie980416-6,0,6006146.story
3. ^ F.C.C Facilities - Main Bar

External links

• Chinese Box at the Internet Movie Database
• "Hong Kong as City/Imaginary in The World of Suzie Wong, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, and Chinese Box", by Thomas Y. T. Luk, The Chinese University of Hong Kong