Yi sa bui lai (2006)

Director:

Ho-Cheung Pang

Writers:

Ho-Cheung Pang (screenplay)
Ho-Cheung Pang (story)

Release Date:

6 April 2006 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A Macao police officer's bachelor life is interrupted by the daughter he never knew he fathered.

Plot Keywords:

Macau | Older Man Younger Woman Relationship | Heavy Rain | Father Daughter Relationship | Slow Motion Scene

Awards:

5 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Chapman To	...	Chen-Shing Ma
Isabella Leong	...	Bik-Yan Cheung
Josie Ho	...	Woman at herbal tea shop
Kwok Cheung Tsang	...	Fai
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang	...	Chen-Shing's boss
Sui-man Chim	...	Landlord
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Steven Cheung	...	Chen-Shing - adolescent (as Chi-Hang Cheung)
J.J. Jia	...	Hua - Bik-Yan's mother (as Xiao-chen Jia)
Meme Tian	...	Kate
Yeung Ming Wan	...	Bik-Yan's father
Shawn Yue	...	Man at bar

Also Known As:

Isabella (International: English title)

Runtime:

91 min | Japan:109 min (Tokyo International Film Festival)

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Hong Kong:IIA

Filming Locations:

Macau, China

Company:

China Film Group

Trivia:

In all three scenes that Anthony Wong Chau-Sang appears in, he is eating something. The first scene has him eating a hotpot, the second scene that he appears in, he is eating noodles and in the last scene he is eating a bun.

Endearing

This movie gets it right. From a simple and "seen-it-before" premise-- a man reunites with his daughter he never knew he had--comes a tale of human frailties, failures, fears, familial fraternity and future-looking forgiveness. The themes and concept may be old news, but the look, feel and refined storytelling of this one is as refreshing as a cold beer in summer. It is quirky & funny with fine nuanced performances by both leads. Isabella Leong got a few acting nods for her role and she really carries the piece well trying to gain her father's favour and exploring a relationship she never had.

Music-wise this film is also covered with a prominence of powerful pieces that not only set the mood, but sometimes tell the story themselves. Peter Kam also get recognized for his work, but arguably its Ho-Cheung Pang's choices as well as calculated visual and sound editing that makes it all work.

Ho-Cheung Pang really gets the best of everyone with this. Earthy real sets & decors from the arts department, lighting & impressive camera-work, etc. From the potent acting to the steady interior shots or the moving exterior close-ups, everything fits into the beautiful puzzle. The cinematography is innovative, alluring, but properly restrained and like the music also tells the story in its own way. A little hint of Kar Wai Wong here with occasional focus on feet or parts of the body, but always very well done and adding to realness and proposed point-of-view.

The movie leaves the audience in a happy contemplative mood. Having enjoyed the slice of life, embarked with the characters and feeling all the better for it.

This is a great picture that will have me seeking Ho-Cheung Pang's past & future projects. A voice I definitely want to hear more from in Hong Kong cinema...