Gaau ji (2004)

Director:

Fruit Chan

Writer:

Lillian Lee (writer)

Release Date:

20 August 2004 (South Korea)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Horror | Thriller

Plot:

In Hong Kong, Aunt Mei is a cook famous for her home-made rejuvenation dumplings, based on a millenarian...

Plot Keywords:

Rejuvenation | Abortion | Hong Kong | Neglected Wife | Fetus

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Ling Bai	...	Mei, the cook
Pauline Lau	...	Masseuse
Tony Leung Ka Fai	...	Mr. Lee (as Tony Ka-Fai Leung)
Meme Tian	...	Connie (as Meme)
Miriam Yeung Chin Wah	...	Mrs. Lee
Miki Yeung	...	Kate

Also Known As:

Dumplings (Hong Kong: English title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

German | Mandarin | Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:18 | Brazil:18 | France:-16 | Argentina:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-18 | New Zealand:R18 | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:M18 | Philippines:R-18 (MTRCB)

Company:

Applaus Pictures Limited

Movie Connections:

Edited into Sam gang yi (2004)

Frighteningly good, yet disturbing allegory of contemporary vanity and the desire and desperation to feed it

With the recent announcements that they are releasing a new Rocky movie and Basic Instinct sequel, it doesn't half make you despair. Getting away from the mainstream though and you may find this gloriously dark movie about contemporary vanity. Story centres round a woman who whilst still very beautiful is shunned by her husband for younger more nubile girls. Fearing the decline of her looks to be able to keep the attention of her husband, she seeks out the meals (the "dumplings" in the title) of an estranged ex-doctor who feeds her with the belief that she has the answer to eternal youth. Revelations and twists and turns, darken the proceedings as the film goes on (which I won't mention to not spoil the show) but it is unlikely that you will see a darker satire than this all year. Excellent acting, sharp script and an unsettling score all combine to make a revelation of a film. The camera work is sharp, and the message is powerful yet never ham-fisted. The nearest equivalent I can think of is "Death Becomes Her" (the US film with Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep & Goldie Hawn), but that is more light hearted in tone. This has humour, but far more blacker than that movie, with themes that touch not only rich society but also the working class as well. A great movie, which I would highly recommend!