Eve and the Fire Horse (2005) User Reviews

A fond, gentle film that takes a while to get going

[anhedonia · 6/10 · 15 May 2006]

Julia Kwan's "Eve & the Fire Horse" is a sweet, gentle film in which a 9-year-old girl, Eve (Phoebe Kut), recalls her childhood when her sister, Karena (Hollie Lo), introduces her to Catholicism.

It's a typical coming-of-age film with an Asian bent, nonetheless. It's buoyed by two fine performances by Kut and Lo. There's nothing unexpected or unpredictable about it, but it delves into a culture that is alien to most Americans. And it deals very well with the clash of cultures - or, in this case, religions - and the confusion that arises as these young kids try to deal with life.

Writer-director Kwan takes her time to set up her story and then unravel it. We get to know these characters and appreciate their motivations. The humor is nothing outrageous; this is the sort of film that brings a smile to one's face rather than, say, a loud guffaw or two.

What works in the film is the relationship between the two sisters. From the opening scene of them on the wall, we believe these two are not only related, but very close.

There are some fine supporting performances. Vivian Wu is brilliantly understated as the children's mother, and Chit Chan Man Lester brings the right amount of pathos and humor to his role as their father.

One of the film's failings is a rather obvious narration. I'm not averse to voice-over narrations in films such as this. But many of the moments in the narration could have been shown and not told.

"Eve & the Fire Horse" is a pleasant film, one that could've been better, but works nonetheless. Its charm comes from its two young actors who seem so natural that we're drawn into their colorful worlds and imagination. It says a lot about families; it also says a lot about religion. I'm not sure if Kwan endorses proselytizing, but the film does seem to make a statement about the commonality among religions. And that's certainly not a bad thing. It's a sweet, tender film that makes for a nice afternoon at the movies.

A good heart in mediocre clothing

[skanemermaid · 6/10 · 8 August 2007]

No doubt that 'Eve and the Fire Horse' deserves high praise for imaginative settings, endearingly naive vignettes, and a thoughtful addition to the Chinese-in-Canada canon of literature and film.

A child's imagination in the hands of religious dogma. It's an interesting topic -- Bergman and others have done it well. 'Eve and the Fire Horse' is unique and compelling because of the visual dynamic that tries to be hospitable to both Eastern and Western icons.

Still, am I the only one who felt this film could have been so much more?

The superficial depictions of romantic Catholicism -- think Winona Ryder in 'Mermaids -- is effective in its childishness, but very stereotypical in delivery. The same old jokes about mournful nuns -- "Daughters of Perpetual Sorrow" -- have that catechism humour that's been done many times before. The scary/enlightening death by baptism sequence is symbolic enough -- resurrection through Christ -- but the whole notion of drowning the sisters gets brushed aside pretty quickly. The final sequence -- happy family, happy conversion -- feels a bit pat.

On that note, the adult characters are decidedly flat. Sick father. Dead grandmother (who represents 'The Old Country'). Convert hungry nun. Indeed, all figures who represent Religious Authority are entirely indifferent to Eve's spiritual development, her family problems, or her social difficulties. Is this an implicit critique of organised religion as interested only in formula and appearances? Maybe. Still, a little bit of heart in the adult characters would have given the film a bit more dimension.

I'm not saying in any way the film should be 're-written'. My opinion, quietly stated, is that where 'Eve' falls short is its adherence to keeping all its icons intact and in one basket. None are given, none are taken away. For a film with so much potential texture, I just felt that the fabric was a bit too thin. That doesn't make for a bad film -- and 'Eve' is a great film, but a missed opportunity to become something legendary. Perhaps that's not the director's obligation. Eve delights in its understatements, and that's a wonderful charm. But less dancing Buddhas and condescending nuns -- and more dialogue, more character growth -- would have given it more oomf.

Beautiful Film

[ArizWldcat · 8/10 · 29 January 2006]

I saw this at Sundance, and was quite taken with the film. It's about two little Chinese sisters who are confused about what religion to follow. They live in Canada, where there are many cultures represented. They receive mixed messages from their family and from their teachers and religious leaders. This is a gentle film about their struggle to understand the differences. I especially enjoyed the clever portrayal of childish imagination. The younger girl (Eve) is prone to fantastical daydreams, which are seamlessly blended into her real life. All of the actors involved did a great job. The film was colorful and easy to watch, and while not particularly fast paced, the plot moved along at a good pace and never dragged.

You won't forget this 9 year old girl

[YNOT_at_the_Movies · 26 March 2006]

"Eve and the Fire Horse" is a beautifully written film about this 9 years cute girl Eve and her 11 years old sister's struggle with the culture and religion clash as Chinese immigrants living in Vancouver, Canada. Innocent Eve was born in a year of "Fire Horse," which is believed to be bad luck. While she turns in Buddhism in the traditions of her parents to overcome this bad curse, her sister becomes a faithful Christian and tries to turn everybody else into a Jesus's follower. The film is poetic, honesty, provocative, and funny. It gets into the head of Eve looking out this confusing world. After the movie it makes you wonder what the real curse might be to our lives. The wonderful performance of this little girl will capture your heart, if not your soul. This is a great film.

Lacks a clear point of view

[howard.schumann · 7/10 · 5 February 2006]

Voted the most popular Canadian film at the 2005 Vancouver Film Festival and winner of the Special Jury Prize in the World Dramatic category of the Sundance Film Festival, Vancouver director Julia Kwan's Eve and the Fire Horse weaves an imaginative tale of the spiritual awakening of two young Chinese-Canadian sisters. The film is set in Vancouver, Canada in the 1970s and is loosely based on the director's personal memories of her immigrant experience. As the film opens, nine-year old Eve (Phoebe Jojo Kut) explains that she was born in 1966, the year of the fire horse, an event that takes place only every sixty years and is considered to bring bad luck.

According to Ms. Kwan, "the last time it occurred, the abortion rates spiked in Asia because nobody wanted a child who was a fire horse. A fire horse is a strong-willed and independent thinker and independent thinking isn't a very Confucian thing where you're supposed to submit to parental authority." In Eve's imagination, she sees the unwanted fire horses drowning underwater. In her mind, her bad luck is manifested when her mother (Vivian Wu) suffers a miscarriage after cutting down an apple tree, her uncle (Joseph Siu Kin Hing) chokes on some noodles, and her grandmother (Ping Sun Wong) dies shortly after watering the garden.

Seeing Buddhism as a religion of luck and superstition, Eve and her 11-year old sister Karena (Hollie Lo) turn away their family's traditional religion to embrace Catholicism after they receive a book about Jesus from door-to-door evangelists. Karena immediately becomes a strong believer and Eve follows along, though she does ask questions about whether Jesus and Buddha are friends. In her imagination, she pictures Jesus and Buddha dancing together in her living room. The girls form an order they call "The Daughters of Perpetual Sorrow" and perform charitable deeds around the neighborhood. Their father Frank (Lester Chit-Man Chan) is upset when the girls say grace at dinner and when they will not honor their ancestors by bowing, but the family's innate stoicism and desire to assimilate takes precedence over their beliefs. Their mother sends the girls to Sunday School saying that two Gods are better than one (a very pragmatic approach), and they begin to bring crosses and pictures of Jesus into the home.

Although her father tells Eve that her grandmother will be reincarnated as a goldfish, an idea Eve finds very comforting, she is told in Sunday School that her grandmother has been sent to Hell for being a Buddhist, but this does not seem to deter her. She learns the proper position for praying, watches as Karena aggressively tries to convert a young Sikh boy to Jesus, and participates in a scary baptism ritual in her bathtub. Eve and the Fire Horse is a heartfelt film and while it has much to recommend it, I found the performances weak and the film disjointed and lacking in a clear point of view. Without commenting on aggressive Christian proselytizing, the film appears to endorse it in spite of a near-death experience in which God embraces all faiths.

Diffuse

[MikeyB1793 · 6/10 · 1 February 2009]

At the risk of sounding like a Monty Python skit - What is this movie about, who is it for, why was it made, what is the meaning??.. There is no central story. It's about 2 young Chinese girls growing up in Vancouver. They both, at different levels, fall into Buddhism and Christianity. The older girl becomes more and more taken in by Catholism. The younger has a remarkable cinematic expression of pathos along with a vivid imagination, but that's nothing new for a young child. All the adults - parents, teachers and the nun seem peculiarly removed,detached and uninterested in children. It's as if these 2 girls had there own world. This is most unusual, adults - parents in particular, should be having a wonderful relation with their children at this stage of their lives. I am not speaking about teenagers - these 2 girls were in the 6 to 10 years of age range. Is this distancing a reflection on the directors upbringing??

beautiful, charming film!

[egdoll · 10/10 · 9 February 2006]

i was fortunate to catch a screening of this film during the 2006 Sundance film festival "Best of Fest" screenings.

beautiful, unexpected, very witty. narrated through the eyes of a young Chinese girl growing up in canada. her vivid daydreams seamlessly blend with reality, adding a charm and humor that lingers long after the film is over.

Visually, this film is a treat--sometimes unexpected, yet always appropriate, it enhances and expands the emotion of the story. music, dialogue are well-crafted; the rare subtitle here and there manages to leave the flow of the movie uninterrupted.

phoebe kut is wonderful as eve; her interaction/relationship with her predictably "wise" older sister as they weather the unpredictable difficulties of merging Chinese superstition and Buddhism with Western culture and Catholicism is very believable.

yu ching, as eve's mother, perfectly evokes emotion as she quietly bears sorrow and heartache and strives to enlighten her children with love and laughter.

try to catch a screening of this film somehow--it's a gem!

Jesus dancing with The Buddha

[lastliberal · 7/10 · 18 November 2007]

This was a charming Canadian film directed by Julia Kwan and featuring Vivian Wu, Hollie Lo, and Karena Eng. It is in English and Cantonese and bridges the cultural gap by showing the superstitions and beliefs of the Catholic religion and Buddhism.

Mom figures that it can't hurt to have both in the same house. Double protection, you know. I can understand that; having been baptized a Catholic as a child and a Baptist as an adult. I have both sides covered, even though I now claim neither. You know, once saved, always saved.

One daughter becomes a Catholic, while the younger one goes along with her, but clings to the Buddhist beliefs. It is funny and touching and will make you think about both religions and how they are similar in their superstitions.

Check it out.

charming, fun, moments of tension,excellent use of subtitles

[marilynhindmarch · 9/10 · 21 March 2005]

The relationship between the two sisters comes across as natural and typical as do the other family relationships. Warmth emanates from most of the characters. Issues dealing with race are delightfully and educationally presented. Some special effects are extremely well done although one is quite awkward. The essential practices of Buddhism and Catholicism are brought to light. The character of Eve is superbly acted, and by a first time actress. By revealing the home life of a Buddhist Chinese family in Canada, this film becomes a must-see for Canadians, the majority of whom are now living in close proximity to a Chinese community in the major cities. To produce such a quality film on a shoe-string budget is a production coup! Hurrah for independent filmmakers.

Great Movie!

[cami-cav-89 · 5/10 · 4 June 2014]

I thought this movie was great! I'm a pretty harsh critic; I haven't come across a movie/show, as of yet, that has ever received an 8, 9 or 10. This was a funny movie; the little girl was so cute, she reminds me of my niece. If you don't like to read subtitles or can't speak the language, this might not be the movie for you. All Around Great Film! It's a cute family movie.

ALSO: I believe member named: Vecanoi, Misspoke: 'A person WITH a proper religion guide will become tangled and lost!'

Oh, almost forgot ~ I believe this film depicts the realism of Catholics trying to force religion down anyones and everyones throat; Especially those who don't want it.

GREAT MOVIE: It's A Definite Recommended Film!

Captures the Magic and Confusion of Spirituality

[mysticwit · 9/10 · 11 March 2006]

This just screened at SXSW and there were too many empty seats for this outstanding film.

It balances reverence and playfulness, and the essence of being a child who finds joy and magic in spirituality as much as it does the cultural conflicts within religion. The story literally brings to life the religions in question as well as extrapolating how a child processes myth and faith, especially from a very different culture, emphasizing what's alien, and what's similar, if not the same.

The direction and plot make the story accessible without dumbing itself down for the audience. It mixes languages and uses subtitles so the characters interact authentically in a household mixing immigration and acclimated generations.

I do not understand

[Vecanoi · 4/10 · 1 May 2014]

I really found this film as a mockery. Although it shows the complex religious views through eyes of two little girls, somehow I detected the latent line which I found repulsive. As someone who goes every Sunday to church I felt disgraced, first with the scenes when Jesus dances, and second with the way Catholics are depicted. The Nun seems as if she just arrived from the 14th century. The whole concept of the film around Catholicism only points out the strict orders and laws, but not the side of a living Church which grows and cultivates itself trough time, but never changes the essential message. It seems as if tolerance towards others has not even slightly changed in 500 years. A catechist would never often disrespect and put down ideas and views of a nine year old, like this Nun did. Bear in mind this all also happened after the Second Vatican Council. One thing that also struck me was that the words during baptism were indeed the ones used during the real ceremony, and the fact what happened afterwards I did not comprehend at all. I cannot comment on the Buddhist part, not familiar with the customs and doctrine. The only valid conclusion I got from this film is that a person without a proper religion guide can become tangled and get lost. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this film to TRADITIONAL Catholics, especially those who are easily sensitized.

young Chinese Canadian girls explore death, superstition & religion (with lots of laughs, too)

[caseyjwolf · 10/10 · 5 February 2006]

what a wonderful show! it's just opened in vancouver, b.c. (the city in which it was filmed) and what a treat to see it.

eve and the fire horse is beautiful, funny, touching, and thoughtful. julie kwan gently and poetically illuminates difficult truths.

affection, death, racism, camaraderie, longing, evangelism across cultural lines and religious fervour are all touched on.

a very enjoyable film whether you are ten or 90. behind me in the theatre sat a family ranging almost that far and the laughter was spread equally across the row.

three thumbs up!

nothing else like it out there

[cficarra · 10/10 · 11 June 2006]

The connections people make between each other, and between themselves and whatever "greater power" they're hoping to connect with -- that's the story at the heart of this tale of two young Chinese-American sisters, raised on traditional Buddhist rituals but suddenly determined to become Catholic.

There are so many ways to describe this film: moving, sweet, gentle, elegant, thoughtful, funny. It's a rare pleasure to sit through a movie about religion that doesn't take cheap shots at the believers or the dogma, and that in fact provokes some thought about things you might think you already know. The cinematography is lovely, focusing a good deal on the faces of the young sisters whose relationship is the centerpiece of the film. The actors who play those sisters are affecting -- it's easy to lose yourself in their lives -- in the lives of the entire cast in fact -- because their presence on screen is so natural. For a first-time writer and director, this is a jewel.

A Gem of a Film

[wnsbt · 10/10 · 22 March 2006]

This is an extremely beautifully shot, acted and directed Film by Julie Kwan.

It has all the perfect elements of a great drama and because of the child's point of view almost magic realism. Anyone who enjoys Stephen Spielberg's drama such as Colour Purple, or Marleen Goriss's Antonia, even Stephen Elliot's Pricilla Queen of the Desert from Australia will like this story, because it about family and all the complicated feelings of love and hatred that develop, being different and trying to find your place in the world, and forgiveness.

And it has great creative sets and visually beautiful.

interesting religious coming-of-age

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 6 October 2015]

Chinese Canadian Eve Eng was born in 1966 the year of the fire horse which happens every 60 years. Children born then are notorious for being strong-willed and people used to drown them in the river. Her mother chops down an apple tree which is bad luck and she becomes sick having a miscarriage. Then her grandmother dies and her father has to bury her back in China. Her older sister Karena starts following Christianity after getting a book from 2 Jehovah's Witnesses. Despite being Buddhists, her mother sends them to Sunday school. Two Gods are better than one. While Karena becomes a true believer, Eve's imagination leads her on her own path.

I don't know how autobiographical this movie actually is but it feels very authentic. I love the naturalistic style of the movie. It can feel a little meandering but again that adds to its naturalism. The story may not have a destination but the journey is great. The girls are fabulous. They're amateurs but has the sisterly feel. I also love that some of the side characters take unexpected and realistic turns.