alla_t Reviews

Long yan zhou (2005)

A tragic but beautiful romance story

[10/10 · 14 September 2006]

The cinematography is lush and detailed, the soundtrack is tragically beautiful, the weak link is the sluggish scripting.

This independent Taiwanese art-house film, produced by the veteran of Taiwan film Lee Hsing and directed by the Golden Horse Award 2000 Short Film winner Chang Kuo-fu, is a story told in dreamy sequences and intercutting flashbacks, about a couple in 1960s Taiwan whose love lives on to the present day.

A very wise casting decision was made in the lead female role, played by the Singaporean actress Fann Wong (credited in the film as Woon-fong Fann). She delivers a substantial performance marked by silent sorrow. In comparison, Hong Kong's Shaun Tam and Taiwan's Yin Hsin appear inexperienced.

The film was nominated for 5 categories at the inaugural Asian Festival of First Films (AFFF) in Singapore, but won nothing. Nevertheless, it deserves a spin, especially for the haunting emotional crescendo in the second half of the movie. Highly recommended for tearjerker-lovers or fans of old-style or 'original' Taiwanese films.

Barbara Wood - Das Haus der Harmonie (2005 TV Movie)

Lovely German adaptation of Asian culture

[10/10 · 14 September 2006]

I watched the German DVD version of this film. The film is stunningly beautiful, the sets and costumes are detailed, the cinematography is lush and breathtaking, and the acting of the various cast members are simply excellent.

Fann Wong plays Mei Ling, who falls in love with an American businessman Richard Barclay (played by German actor Philipp Brenninkmeyer). Frowned upon in the feudal and conservative Singapore of the 1920s, she leaves to bring up their mixed-blood daughter, Harmony (Maggie Q). Harmony journeys to Los Angeles, where she gets involved romantically with Gideon (played by German actor Daniel Morgenroth), while battling social discrimination.

The German and Singapore cast were a perfect fit, and each excelled in their roles. Credit goes to Maggie Q for the best performance in her career in a very plum role, as well as the talented Daniel Morgenroth who combines good looks with a heavyweight performance.

The talented Singaporean actress Fann Wong (Shanghai Knights) who appears in the first part of the film is a scene-stealer. Her lily-fresh beauty is captured on the film, and her performance is nuanced and sublime. I wish to see more of her on international movie productions.

Cheng Pei Pei, Andrea Jonasson, Monika Peitsch and the old man who plays Fann's father delivered good performances as well. Overall, I have to say this show stole my heart. It is tightly crafted, exquisitely filmed, superbly acted and well-produced.