The first feature film by Ann Hui and Joyce Chan is a pioneering work of the Hong Kong New Wave. Based on a true murder case, this thriller about the murder of a doctor (Alex Man) and his fiancée (Angie Chiu Nga-chi) is a surprisingly radical departure from Hui and Chan's neorealist work in television. Following the investigation by Ming (Sylvia Chang), the late couple's friend, the film uses an innovative non-linear narrative structure to peel away the multiple layers of this seemingly complex case. However, Hui and Chan have crafted more than just another sensational true-crime film with The Secret ; it's a journey into the dark side of the human psyche. By creating a contrast between the dark, stuff interiors of old apartments and the sterile, modern décor of the new Hong Kong, the two creators also use the tension between the two eras to reflect tension between the characters. Winner of Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

# Post-screening talk with Joyce Chan

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