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Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive (1989)

UNRATED 83 min  -  Comedy  -   24 August 1990 (USA)
5.4
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Ratings: 5.4/10 from 67 users  
Reviews: 3 user | 8 critic

A man is hired by a group of people he believes to be gangsters to escort a briefcase from America to Hong Kong... See full summary »

Directors:

Wayne Wang, Spencer Nakasako

Writers:

Spencer Nakasako, Amir Mokri (story), and 2 more credits »

Stars:

Cheng Wan Kin, John Chan and Kwan-Min Cheng
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cheng Wan Kin Cheng Wan Kin ...
Duck Killer (as Chan Kim Wan)
John Chan John Chan ...
The Son-in-Law (as John K. Chan)
Kwan-Min Cheng Kwan-Min Cheng ...
Uncle Cheng (as Cheng Kwan Min)
Allen Fong Allen Fong ...
Taxi Driver
Rocky Wing Cheung Ho Rocky Wing Cheung Ho ...
Punk #2 (as Rocky Ho)
Cinda Hui Cinda Hui ...
Kitty
Gary Kong Gary Kong ...
Punk #1
Chung Lin Chung Lin ...
Ex-Red Guard (as Lam Chung)
Lieh Lo Lieh Lo ...
Pianist
Wei Lo Wei Lo ...
The Boss (as Lo Wai)
Cora Miao Cora Miao ...
Money
Spencer Nakasako Spencer Nakasako ...
Yat Boon Jai
Bonnie Ngai Bonnie Ngai ...
The Daughter
Victor Wong ...
Blind Man
Wu Kin Man Wu Kin Man ...
Spiritualist
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

A man is hired by a group of people he believes to be gangsters to escort a briefcase from America to Hong Kong. When he arrives, however, his contact is nowhere to be found. With no further instructions, he decides to take in the sights of Hong Kong, which consist of him taking part in a great deal of blood, sex and general weirdness, all while wearing a briefcase handcuffed to his arm. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Briefcase | Hong Kong | Narration | Coprophagia | First Person  | See more »

Taglines:

A scathing new black comedy from the director of "Dim Sum" and "Chan Is Missing"

Genres:

Comedy

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Cantonese

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Box Office

Gross:

$108,392 (USA)
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Company Credits

Production Co:

Far East Stars, Forever Profit Investment See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White  | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Wayne Wang's experimental style of guerrilla filmmaking was met with legal consternation by Disney attorneys after Wayne used Mickey Mouse ear caps in a scene as a satirical prop for his scathing commentary on the cultural effects of global capitalism in a pre-emerging China. Subsequently the Disney icons were digitally fogged out of all exhibition prints. See more »