Esprit d'amour

Esprit d'amour[1] is a 1983 Hong Kong supernatural romance film directed by Ringo Lam and starring Alan Tam, Shu-Chun Ni and Cecilia Yip. Shot in modern-day Hong Kong, the film centres on protagonist Koo Chi-Ming, a hapless insurance investigator who while investigating the death of a young women begins being haunted by her spirit.

Esprit d'amour
Original Hong Kong film poster
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese陰陽錯
Simplified Chinese阴阳错
Directed byRingo Lam
Written byRaymond Fung
Clifton Ko
Kin Lo
Screenplay byKo Chi-Sum
Lo Kin
Raymond Fung
Story byRaymond Wong
Based onEsprit d'amour (1970 film)
Produced byRaymond Wong
Dean Shek
Karl Maka
StarringAlan Tam
Cecilia Yip
Ni Shu Chun
Philip Chan
Bill Tung
Billy Lau
CinematographyBob Thompson
Arthur Wong
Bill Wong
Edited byTony Chow
Music byTang Siu Lam
Production
company
Distributed byGolden Princess Amusement Co. Ltd.
Release date
  • 15 December 1983 (1983-12-15)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeHK$14,102,667

Based on an American film from 1970 and on an original story by Raymond Wong, Esprit d'amour is credited as the very first film directed by Hong Kong director Ringo Lam better known for his later 1987 film City on Fire starring Chow Yun-fat. Released in Hong Kong on 15 December 1983, the film took in a total of HK$14.1 million at the box office and gained one nomination at the 1985 Hong Kong Film Awards.

In 1998 Esprit d'amour was released on VHS in the United States and on DVD in 2005, a digitally remastered Hong Kong version was also released a few years later in mid-2008.

Plot summary

Koo Chi-Ming (Alan Tam) is a life-insurance investigator who, on his way to his engagement party, loses control of his car and almost runs over a young woman, Siu-Yu (Ni Shu-Chun). Later upon arriving at his party he and his father (Bill Tung) begin being henpecked by his mother (Tang Pik-wan) and his fiancée Ivy (Cecilia Yip). At the end of the party, attendees play with a Ouija board attempting to talk to a spirit. Chi-Ming's little brother explains that after they are finished they must send the spirit back, otherwise the person last holding the saucer will be haunted by the spirit. Elsewhere, Siu-Yu is on the roof of her apartment with her goddaughter Mimi waiting for clothes to dry, when Siu-Yu notices that Mimi is very close to the edge. Rushing forward to grab Mimi, Siu-Yu accidentally steps on a skateboard, which sends her over the edge of the roof. As soon as Siu-Yu dies, the Ouija board saucer begins to move and points out her name. The saucer then begins to rotate violently on the board, throwing everyone back, apart from Chi-Ming, who holds on until the saucer flips over to reveal a small spot of blood, indicating he will be haunted.

The next day at work, Chi-Ming is handed two cases to investigate by his boss (Philip Chan). The spirit of Siu-Yu makes sure that he gets her case by switching the files. While looking through the case file, Chi-Ming notices that the name of the deceased is the same as the one spelt out on the Ouija board. After visiting her apartment, he realises that he almost ran over her the night before. Upon returning home, the ghost of Siu-Yu appears to Chi-Ming and tells him that her death was an accident. She asks that the insurance money be paid to Mimi.

At work Chi-Ming is about to write up his report, but his boss tells him to rule the death a suicide. Later, Chi-Ming tells her that he cannot override his boss's decision. Siu-Yu begins to play pranks on Chi-Ming's boss, causing him to fire Chi-Ming. Chi-Ming takes the loss hard, ending up in jail only to be bailed out and re-hired by his former boss, still haunted by Siu-Yu.

Now a free man and with a promotion, Chi-Ming begins a romantic relationship with Siu-Yu, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, who along with his mother hires an exorcist, Dr. Han (Tien Feng). At Chi-Ming's apartment, Dr. Han explains that while he is performing the exorcism the front door, which he calls "the door of life", cannot be opened as this would cause the "door of death" to open. He also instructs Ivy to keep Chi-Ming from his apartment during the exorcism.

Ivy takes Chi-Ming out to a nightclub to distract him, but while watching a dance performance he spots Siu-Yu on stage and in great distress. At the same time, in Chi-Ming's apartment, Dr. Han summons Siu-Yu, who disappears in front of Chi-Ming. Chi-Ming rushes home to find Dr. Han in the middle of the exorcism. Rushing to help Siu-Yu, he opens the "door of death". Dr. Han runs away, while the contents of the room are sucked out of the window, along with Chi-Ming and Siu-Yu. Grabbing the balcony railing Chi-Ming fails to hang onto Siu-Yu. Trying to follow her he jumps, but falls down 18 floors onto a parked car. After recovering in the hospital, Chi-Ming returns to where he first saw Siu-Yu, hoping to find her. He walks out onto the road and is almost hit by a car. The female driver resembles but is not Siu-Yu. She drives away. He removes his glasses and looks up at the sky with a smile.

Cast
  • Alan Tam as Koo Chi-Ming (古志明) – an insurance investigator who falls in love with a female ghost
  • Joyce Ni Shu Chun (倪淑君) as Chang Siu-Yu (張小瑜) – a girl who died in an accidental fall, became a ghost and begins to haunt Chi-Ming
  • Cecilia Yip as Ivy – Chi-Ming's controlling girlfriend
  • Tang Pik-wan as Chi-Ming's Mother
  • Bill Tung as Chi-Ming's Father
  • Cheng Mang-Ha as Mimi's Grandmother
  • Tien Feng as Dr. Han – a Taoist priest who tries to exorcise the ghost Siu-Yu
  • Lung Tin-Sang as Dr Han's assistant
  • Billy Lau as Chi-Ming's colleague
  • Philip Chan as John Tang – Chi-Ming's boss

Production

The film is based on an American film from 1970 and on an original story by Raymond Wong.[2] Wong's inspiration for the film came on a trip to worship his ancestors, while his family was making preparations.[3][4] Wong was wandering around nearby and came upon a grave. There was a picture of a girl on the tombstone. She was quite pretty so he stopped to look at the picture when suddenly he felt a chill go down his spine. He was afraid because as he stared at her, he thought, "she might haunt me this night". Wong then walked away and rejoined his family. That night, he tossed and turned in bed thinking about what had happened and came up with the story. Wong and his childhood friends used to play séance, so he decided to include this in the storyline, too.[3] It was decided that the movie should have a French-language title rather than an English international title, meaning "Spirit of love".[5]

Alan Tam was quickly chosen for the starring role but the lead actress was undecided.[3] Maggie Cheung was originally meant to play the role of Siu-Yu, but was rejected by director Po-Chih Leong.[3]

At the Golden Horse Awards in a cocktail reception the director spotted a young girl called Joyce Ni and instantly wanted her to play Siu Yu, however she had never acted before. In an interview, co-producer Raymond Wong said that he respected the director's choice and casting her was the right decision.[3]

Filming began in late 1982 under the direction of Po-Chih Leong, director of the generally well-received Hong Kong 1941. According to Ringo Lam around one-third of the film had been shot when Leong resigned after arguing with producer Karl Maka. In need of a quick and inexpensive replacement Maka gave the previously unknown Ringo Lam his big break. Later in an interview Lam explained, "I have no choice, I need food, so I do the best I can ..." Lam received sole directing credit for the film.[5]

The movie's main song (Chinese: 幻影; Jyutping: waan6 jing2) known in English as Illusion, or sometimes as Phantom or Mirage,[6] is used throughout the movie in a music box and is also used in the ending credits.[3] It was composed by Chinese composer and music producer Lam Manyee, written by Lam Man-Chung and sung in Cantonese by lead actor Alan Tam. A version in Mandarin, also sung by Alan Tam, was later released under the same Chinese name.[7]

Reception

Critical response

The film received mainly positive to average reviews with one critic at LoveHKFilm.com stating "This isn't a spectacular film, but classifying it as above-average HK Cinema is more than appropriate."[8] Hong Kong Digital described it as "run-of-the-mill" but with "modicum charm,"[9] while another review at So Good... calls it a "true Hong Kong product" with a "stylish tension-filled ending".[10] On the Chinese movie review website, Douban, it received an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 based on 275 user reviews,[11] and also made the list for the 10 Best Chinese Ghost Movies on Screen Junkies by coming in at number 2.[12]

Nominations

The film was nominated at the 4th Hong Kong Film Awards, in the "Best Original Film Song" category. The song that attracted the nomination was "Illusion", which had music by Lam Manyee, lyrics by Lam Man-Chung, and was sung by lead actor and Cantopop singer Alan Tam. The award ultimately went to "A Chance Encounter" (偶遇), the theme song of 1984 movie A Certain Romance (少女日記), sung by Samantha Lam.[13]

Box office

Producer Raymond Wong remarked in an interview that it was "a box office hit".[3] The movie ran in theatres from 15 December 1983 to 4 January 1984[14] and grossed a total of HK$14,102,667 million.[5][15][16]

Screenings

In 1990 the film featured as part of Channel 4's "Chinese Ghost Story" season introduced by Jonathan Ross, being played alongside similar movies in the genre such as Encounters of the Spooky Kind, Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain, Mr. Vampire, Spiritual Love and Rouge.[17][18] The film was also shown 29 May 2010 at University of Toronto as part of Asian Heritage Month.[19][20][21]

Home media

The film has been released on VHS,[22] Laserdisc,[23][24] VCD,[25][26] and DVD.[27][28] It has been digitally remastered for Region 2 DVD (2007) by Universal Pictures Japan[29] and for VCD and Region-All DVD (2008) by Joy Sales (Hong Kong).[30][31]

See also

References
  1. "Esprit d'Amour (1983)Cinemagic". hkcinemagic.com. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  2. Wilson, Staci Layne (2007). 50 Years of Ghost Movies. Running Free Press. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-9675185-2-7.
  3. Raymond Wong (2008). An Interview with Raymond Wong (DVD) (in Chinese). Joy Sales Hong Kong. Event occurs at 0:00:00-0:05:59.
  4. Cai, Natallie (3 December 2012). "Movie maestro". thestandard.com.hk. thestandard.com.hk. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  5. O'Brien, Daniel (2003). Spooky Encounters: A Gwailo's Guide to Hong Kong Horror. Chapter One – Ghost Galore: Headpress. pp. 38–41. ISBN 978-1-900486-31-6.
  6. "Chinese – English Dictionary". MDBG. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  7. "Shou Lin Ying Shi Ge Alan Tam". iTunes. 2005. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  8. Chen, Ross "Kozo". "Esprit D'Amour". Love HK Film.com. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  9. Charles, John (26 April 2004). "Esprit D'Amour". Hong Kong Digital (issue #209). Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  10. Brorsson, Kenneth. "Esprit D'amour (1983)". So Good... HK Movie Reviews. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  11. 阴阳错 (1983). Douban (in Chinese). Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  12. Tsang, Sylvia (11 March 2012). "10 Best Chinese Ghost Movies". Screen Junkies. Defy Media. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  13. "List of Award Winners of The 4th Hong Kong Film Awards". Hong Kong Film Awards (in Chinese). Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  14. Law, Ryan (3 February 2012). "Esprit D'amour (1983)". Hong Kong Movie Database (HKMDB). Archived from the original on 25 September 2010.
  15. "Box Office Hong Kong 1983 [Chinese Movies]". Movieworld HK. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  16. "Box Office Hong Kong". Cinemasie. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  17. "Programme History". Channel X. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  18. Jonathan Ross Chinese Ghost Stories Season. YouTube. 1990. Event occurs at 1:15.
  19. Chu, David. "Hong Kong Film Retrospective Double Bill | Restless Spirits". Munk School of Global Affairs. University of Toronto. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  20. K., Peter (28 May 2010). "Fancy Free Hong Kong Films on 35mm This Weekend?". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  21. "Hong Kong "ghost comedies" shown in Toronto's Asian Heritage Month". Information Services Department (ISD). Hong Kong Government. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  22. "Esprit D'Amour [VHS]". Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  23. "esprit d'amour (Yam yeung choh) Widescreen Rare LaserDisc". dadons-laserdiscs.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  24. "Esprit d'amour (Yam yeung choh) (1983) [A025]". dadons-laserdiscs.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  25. "Esprit D'Amour VCD". yesasia.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  26. "Esprit D'Amour (VCD) (China Version) VCD". yesasia.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  27. "Esprit D'Amour Deltamac CO. LTD DVD". play-asia.com. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  28. "Esprit D'Amour (US Version) DVD Region All". yesasia.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  29. "Esprit D'Amour Digitally Remastered Edition". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  30. "Esprit D'Amour [Digitally Remastered]". play-asia.com. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  31. "VCD Esprit D'Amour Joy Sales – remastered edition". cinemasie.com. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
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