Tales of Chivalry

The Enigmatic Case

Dir: Johnnie To
Scr: Chu Yan
Martial Arts Choreographers: Yu Hong, Ng Keung
Prod Cos: Feng Huang, Zeus
Cast: Damian Lau Chung-yan, Cherie Chung, Jiang Han, Lau Kong, Ting Leung
1980 | Colour | DCP | Cantonese | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 87min

In the Ming dynasty, swordsman Lo Tin-quen (Damian Lau Chung-yan) becomes embroiled in a robbery case involving a large cache of imperial gold. The official in charge of escorting the gold, Yau Yick-yu (Jiang Han), commits suicide for failing his mission. After the three robbers mysteriously die in a fire, the gold vanishes. Lo is falsely accused as their accomplice and is sent to prison. He escapes, and with the late official’s daughter, Yau Pui-pui (Cherie Chung), he returns to the scene of the crime to search for the truth. In the late 1970s, Feng Huang Motion Picture Co. was seeking to bring in new blood to invigorate the company. At that time, Johnnie To was assistant producer at a television company, but was already beginning to make a name for himself. He was recommended by Lau to direct The Enigmatic Case, his debut film. With a tight, fast-paced, and mystery-filled script by Chu Yan, the entire film was shot on location in the mountainous region of northern Guangdong Province, of which To took full advantage by highlighting its rivers, grasslands, karst caves, and ancient towns. His action scenes also took inspiration from westerns—a hint of the unique style that To would later be known for. Chung Yung’s (aka David Chung) cinematography is particularly noteworthy, such as how the shifts in lighting contribute to the suspense and tension of the duel in the cave. This was also Cherie Chung’s big-screen debut, and her fresh-faced sweetness and star quality in the film suggest already the big name she would become.

# Post-screening talk with Lau Kong, Chu Kar-ning & Shu Kei

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