Tian xia wu shuang (2002)

In Ming Dynasty China, two pairs of siblings are destined for each other. But fate throws countless obstacles in the path of their happiness. One pair is high-born: the young Emperor and ... See full summary »

Director:

Jeffrey Lau

Writer:

Jeffrey Lau (screenplay)

Stars:

Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong, Wei Zhao

2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Tony Leung Chiu Wai	...	Li Yilong
Faye Wong	...	Princess Wushuang
Wei Zhao	...	Phoenix
Chen Chang	...	Emperor Zheng De
Roy Cheung	...	Chu Liangshim
Athena Chu	...	Amour Amour
Rebecca Pan	...	Queen mother
Jan Lamb	...	Comentary (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fai-hung Chan	...	Emperor (voice)
Goo-Bi GC	...	Phoenix (voice)
Eric Kot
Jeffrey Lau	...	President Chen
Jing Ning

Storyline

In Ming Dynasty China, two pairs of siblings are destined for each other. But fate throws countless obstacles in the path of their happiness. One pair is high-born: the young Emperor and his sister Wushuang, both confined to the Imperial Palace and very much under the thumb of their mother, the Empress Dowager. The other pair is decidedly lowborn: the wanderer Li Yilong (known as King Bully for the way he terrorized the town of Meilong in his youth) and his sister Phoenix, who still runs a restaurant in Meilong. When both the young Emperor and his sister Wushuang contrive to leave the Palace and head south, they meet the loves of their lives in Meilong. But Wushuang has disguised herself as a man, and the Emperor is incognito. Numerous confusions, complications and misunderstandings ensue: genders and gender-roles are reversed, class differences prove hard to negotiate and identities and egos block the promptings of desire. It takes the interventions of a goddess to get everyone back ...

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Plot Keywords:

emperor | palace | princess | fortune teller | cross dressing | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Action

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Site [tw]

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Release Date:

6 February 2002 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Chinese Odissey

Filming Locations:

Shanghai, China

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jet Tone Production, Block 2 Pictures, Hakuhodo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Li Yilong: Often, if one loves too deeply, it is intoxicating, If one hates too long, the heart is easily shattered, The most painful experience in life, however, is waiting. I don't know how long she waited. I thought all along I would never see her again. Suddenly, I didn't know what to say, I couldn't figure out how to say ... to tell her I really love her.

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Connections

References Sik san (1996)

User Reviews

Other references

This is a brilliant movie! Not only are there references to Wong Kar Wai's previous works and romantic kung fu films, but the story and characters are from an old Chinese tale and 1960's musical called Jiangshan Mei Ren (The Beauty from Jianshan) which is about the emperor who ventures out disguised as a commoner and falls in love with Pheonix, a lovely girl from the restaurant. The musical numbers and the continuing musical themes (including the La-la parts) are taken from the old 1960's movie and that type of Chinese musical genre. Chinese Odyssey 2002 puts a new spin into the musical numbers as well as developing the story between Pheonix's brother (Tony Lenug) and Princess Wushuang (Faye Wong). This film is enjoyable on its own, but when aware of the references, it just makes it that much funnier and witty. I highly recommend watching the original film and Wong Kar Wai's other works for their own sake, if not to just appreciate this multi-faceted film.