A Chinese Ghost Story
Dir: Ching Siu-tung
Scr: Yuen Kai-chi
Prod Co: Cinema City
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang Tsu-hsien, Wu Ma, Lau Siu-ming, Lam Wai, Sit Chi-lun
1987 / Colour / 35mm / Cantonese / Chi & Eng subtitles / 95min
All-around genius Tsui Hark, serving as hands-on producer, adapted Pu Songling's Nie Xiaoqian as a tribute to Li Han-hsiang's celebrated 1960 version. Yet his partnership with director Ching Siu-tung updated the story with a quintessentially 1980s touch. The introduction of computer special effects, considered high-tech for its time, to complement trendy romantic touches and lush visual designs blends perfectly with flamboyant action set pieces staged by Ching and evocative music written by the late great composer James Wong. Taiwan actress Joey Wang Tsu-hsien as the maiden ghost and Hong Kong pop idol Leslie Cheung as the pure-hearted lad make one of the most memorable pairings in the history of Hong Kong Cinema.
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