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Chinese Box (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
17 April 1998 (USA) morePlot:
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 synopsisAwards:
1 win & 2 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(7 articles)
'Avatar' Could Earn Back Its Budget From China Alone (From Cinematical. 5 November 2009, 10:32 AM, PST)
Zhang Ziyi's Next Film Will Be Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
(From FirstShowing.net. 5 November 2009, 9:48 AM, PST)
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 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language and some sexual content.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
99 minColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Iceland:12 | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Hong Kong:IIB | USA:R | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:R(A)Filming Locations:
Hong Kong, ChinaFun 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. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (37 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Chinese Box (1997)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| films set against the '97 handover of HK | damo_wceagles |
| Reuben Blades | esale1 |
| i know this might sound stupid . . . | prtychick7 |
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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.