Violent, sensual, and at times poetic Hong Kong neo-noir….
Kani Releasing continues to expose Western audiences to unsung masterpieces of Asian cinema, and their latest – a restoration of Patrick Tam’s violent, sensual, and at times poetic My Heart Is That Eternal Rose (Sat sau woo dip mung, 1989) – is one of their best to date.
The Hong Kong New Wave actioner begins with a deliciously moody title sequence: As flames engulf a bouquet of white roses, Anita Mui’s “Zhuang Shi De Yan Lei” plays on the soundtrack. “The chill of absence lingers in my sheets,” she croons. “All the love is gone, condemned to death.” Later, when one of the protagonists sings this song in a bar, we realize her life has become all too similar to these heartbroken lyrics.
Kenny Bee and Joey Wong star as Rick and Lap, two star-crossed lovers. When we first meet them, they’re enjoying a carefree youth. Rick frequents the bar where Lap works for her father, “Uncle Cheung” (Hoi-San Kwan). He shows off his skills at drinking games, gifts Lap a golden bracelet, and makes half-joking gestures toward marrying her one day. They’re young, in love, and – naturally – think they have all the time in the world….
Read the review at Film International here.
Retreats from Oblivion: The Journal of NoirCon 