Chuan dao fang zi (1990)

Director:

Eddie Ling-Ching Fong

Writers:

Lillian Lee (novel)
Lillian Lee (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 August 1992 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Romance | War

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Anita Mui	...	Yoshiko Kawashima / Kam Bik-Fai
Andy Lau	...	Fook
Tung-Shing Yee	...	Amakasu
Lawrence Ng	...	Lam
Ken Lo	...	Tanaka's Assistant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Summy Antonio
Fang Bao
Idy Chan
Piao Chin
Su-yee Chow
Sze-ya Kao
Sau Leung 'Blacky' Ko
Mei-Yee Si
Ching Tien
Yin Tse
Ching Wai
Matthew Wong

Also Known As:

Chuen do fong ji (Hong Kong: Cantonese title)
Kawashima Yoshiko
The Last Princess of Manchuria (Hong Kong: English title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Japanese | Cantonese | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Hong Kong:IIB

Company:

Golden Harvest Company

Trivia:

Based upon the life of the last crowned princess of Manchuria.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cai shu zhi heng sao qian jun (1991)

Anita Mui's finest hour.

Yoshiko Kawashima (1990) is the tale about the last crowned Princess of Manchuria. She lived a sad and depressing life that was controlled by others. As a child she was sent to live in Japan. Whilst there she adopted a Japanese name and was basically a pawn throughout her entire life. Anita Mui stars as the "Last Princess of Manchuria". She gave a depth to this complex character that a few actresses could have pulled off. Andy Lau (who acted his tail off) co-stars as the Chinese nationalist who's life is caught up with the Princess turned Japanese agent in war torn China circa. 1930's.

Sadly this film has been neglected over the years. I found this to be the perfect companion piece to "The Last Emperor". This movie chronicles a forgotten part of history (at least to a westerner such as myself).

I highly recommend this movie. I have never witnessed such a fine performance from either Ms. Mui or Andy Lau. The acting and direction was highly entertaining and the storyline was very strong and easy to comprehend. After watching this movie you'll understand how much of a loss it was when Anita Mui passed away. This has to be her finest hour as a actress and as a singer.

Highest recommendation possible.

The ballad near the end of the movie (sung by Anita Mui) fits in perfectly. Even though I couldn't appreciate the lyrics (they were sub-titled in Chinese characters) I found it to be very haunting and well suited for this movie.