Hua pi (2008)

An action-thriller centered on a vampire-like woman who eats the skins and hearts of her lovers.

Directors:

Gordon Chan, Andy Wing-Keung Chin (co-director) (as Chin Wing Keung)

Writers:

Ho Leung Lau (screenplay) (as Lau Ho Leung), Abe Kwong (screenplay)

Stars:

Donnie Yen, Xun Zhou, Kun Chen

11 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donnie Yen	...	Pang Yong
Xun Zhou	...	Xiao Wei (as Zhou Xun)
Kun Chen	...	Wang Sheng (as Chen Kun)
Wei Zhao	...	Pei Rong (as Zhao Wei)
Li Sun	...	Xia Bing (as Sun Li)
Yuwu Qi	...	Xiao Yi (as Qi Yuwu)
Song Jin	...	Gao Xiang
David Leong	...	Xia Hou Xiang (as David Liang)
Cong Xiao	...	Jing Ping
Yan Liu	...	Patroness (as Liu Yan)
Yeerjiang Mahepushen	...	Bandit chief (as Ye Er Jiang)
Michael An-Ye Tan	...	Da Dao (as Michael Tan)
Yun-Peng Qi	...	Mo Zhui (as Qi Yun Peng)
Yang Wen	...	Tong Tou (as Wen Yang)
Chang-Zhou Zhao	...	Jing An (as Zhao Chang Zhou)

Storyline

Where there is trouble, there is a solution. This time, the trouble comes from two mythical spirits who take the forms of humans. Disguised in human skin and clothes, the pair continue to take the hearts of humans to stay alive and young. But one of them strays down the wrong path and falls in love with a married man. What will happen to the lives of this man and his wife after saving from the barbarians someone who didn't need any saving?

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Plot Keywords:

demon | based on novel | adaptation | supernatural | qin dynasty | 

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Taglines:

The battle for an empire begins.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

film information Official site [Japan]

Country:

China Hong Kong Singapore

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

25 September 2008 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Painted Skin

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,579,689

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mediacorp Raintree Pictures,Ningxia Film Studio,Shanghai Film Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 118 min (Director's Cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hong Kong's 2009 Academy Awards official submission to Foreign-Language Film category.

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Goofs

All mail armor in this film is made with the the mail going vertically rather than sideways. This would make the armor less effective, as it spreads the ring pattern open, making it easier to penetrate. All historical examples of mail armor have the ring pattern going from side to side for this reason.

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Connections

Followed by Hua pi 2 (2012)

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Soundtracks

Painted Heart
Music by Ikuro Fujiwara (as Fujiwara Ikuro)
Lyrics by Siu-kei Chan
Performed by Jane Zhang (as Jane Zhang)

User Reviews

Not all that demonic...

This is not your average Donnie Yen movie. So is that a good or bad thing? Well, I found it to be a nice switch away from the usual stuff that we see from the Hong Kong martial arts star. So yes, I enjoyed "Painted Skin" (aka "Hua pi").

Directors Gordon Chan, Danny Ko and Andy Wing-Keung Chin managed to put together a good story that had a good amount of variation. "Painted Skin" is an enjoyable combination of love story, action and drama.

The talents were well-cast and it was nice to see a movie where Donnie Yen wasn't all-overshadowing over all other actors and actresses. You know what you will get from martial arts star Donnie Yen, of course. However, the two female leads Xun Zhou and Wei Zhao were really impressive in this 2008 movie.

"Painted Skin" has a lot to offer and chances are that you will find something in it too. I enjoyed the storytelling and the fact that the movie wasn't focusing on being a display of CGI effects.

The action and fight sequences were well-choreographed and equally so executed, which is a given when Donnie Yen is involved.

The costumes and sets were grand, with lots of details, and it helped bring the story to life quite well.

"Painted Skin" is a well-worthy addition to the collection of anyone who enjoys Asian cinema.