IMDb > Chinese Box (1997)
Chinese Box
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Chinese Box (1997) More at IMDbPro »

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Chinese Box (1997) -- The story of Hong Kong, from New Year's Day to June 30th, 1997, when the British left their colony and turned it over to the People's Republic of China.

Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   1,837 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Wayne Wang
Writers:
Jean-Claude Carrière (screenplay)
Jean-Claude Carrière (story)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Chinese Box on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 April 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance more
Plot:
The story of Hong Kong, from New Year's Day to June 30th, 1997, when the British left their colony and turned it over to the People's Republic of China. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
Much better than many people say. more (37 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jeremy Irons ... John
Li Gong ... Vivian

Maggie Cheung ... Jean
Michael Hui ... Chang

Rubén Blades ... Jim

Jared Harris ... William
Chaplin Chang ... Homeless Man
Noel Rands ... John's Friend at New Year's Party
Emma Lucia ... Amanda Everheart
Ken Bennett ... Rick
Russell Cawthorne ... New Year's Party MC
Emotion Cheung ... William Wong
Harvey Stockwin ... Weeks
Jonathan Midgley ... Jonathan
Bruce Walker ... Bruce
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language and some sexual content.
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
France | Japan | USA
Language:
English | Cantonese
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Filming Locations:
Hong Kong, China
Company:
Canal+ more

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When John and Jim stop during the motorcycle ride up the hill, the shadow of a cameraman is visible. more
Quotes:
John: Money, money, money. That's all you hear. more
Movie Connections:
References Chung Hing sam lam (1994) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Much better than many people say., 10 July 2002
7/10
Author: daodao from Hong Kong

I don't know why, but people on imdb and elsewhere have been very critical of this film. Personally, as someone living in Hong Kong, I think it is both a well made and important film. At the end, the analogy of Gong Li's character starting again, as Hong Kong is starting again, worked well. I think perhaps the only drawback is Maggie Cheung's character, as it seems a little pointless. However, I like nearly everything Jeremy Irons is in - he is really one of the world's best actors. His characters are always people that I can somehow empathise with - they're always very believable and he really carries the film's themes. The idea of setting the film in the six months leading up to Hong Kong's July 1, 1997 handover works well. As Irons' character dies, so does British sovereignty - the Union Jack goes down, the last Governor cries, Gong Li shakes off her long-time sugar daddy. It's a captivating and well-told story of which the Director should be proud, although I read an interview with him a while ago, and he didn't want to talk about the film, since it's upset some people in Hong Kong, I think. This film is certainly better than most rubbish that's made in Hong Kong. I urge you to find a copy and see it.

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