Esprit d'amour

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Esprit d'amour

Original Hong Kong film poster
Traditional 陰陽錯
Simplified 阴阳错
Mandarin yīnyángcuò
Cantonese jam1 joeng4 co3
Directed by Ringo Lam
Produced by Raymond Wong
Dean Shek
Karl Maka
Written by Raymond Fung
Clifton Ko
Kin Lo
Screenplay by Ko Chi-Sum
Lo Kin
Raymond Fung
Story by Raymond Wong
Starring Alan Tam
Cecilia Yip
Ni Shu Chun
Philip Chan
Bill Tung
Billy Lau
Music by Tang Siu Lam
Cinematography Bob Thompson
Arthur Wong
Bill Wong
Editing by Tony Chow
Studio Cinema City Film Co. Ltd.
Distributed by Golden Princess Amusement Co. Ltd.
Release dates
  • 15 December 1983 (1983-12-15)
Running time 93 minutes
Country Hong Kong
Language Cantonese
Box office HK$14,102,667

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 around main protagonist Koo Chi-Ming, a hapless insurance investigator who while investigating the case of a beautiful girl who supposedly committed suicide begins being haunted by her spirit and eventually falls in love with her.

Based 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 while driving to his engagement party, loses control of his car almost running over a young girl, 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). Later after the party has ended, everyone decides to have some fun with a Ouija board by 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 drying clothes when Siu-Yu notices that Mimi is very close to the edge rushing forward to grab her, Siu-Yu's foot accidentally lands on a skateboard which sends her over the edge of the roof to her death. Back at the house, as soon as Siu-Yu dies, the saucer begins to show signs of movement and points out the name of the recently deceased Siu-Yu. The saucer then begins to circle violently around the board and everyone is thrown backwards, apart from Chi-Ming, who holds on until the last movement at which point 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 the deceased girl's apartment, he realises that the girl who died was the girl he almost ran over the night before. Upon returning home the ghost of Siu-Yu appears to Chi-Ming and tells him that her death was an accident, and to pay the insurance money to her goddaughter Mimi.

At work Chi-Ming is about to write up his report but his boss intervenes telling him to say that the girl committed suicide. Later, Chi-Ming tells her that he can't help as it is his boss's decision. After hearing this Siu-Yu begins playing pranks on Chi-Ming's boss causing him to fire Chi-Ming. Chi-Ming takes losing his job hard, ending with him being thrown in jail only later to be bailed out and re-hired by his former boss who has had a change of heart after Siu-Yu being haunted again.

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. 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" can't be opened as this will cause the "door of death" to open. He also instructs Ivy to keep Chi-Ming away 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 which causes her to disappear 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 triggers the opening of the "door of death". Dr. Han runs away, while everything in the room is sucked out the window, along with Chi-Ming and Siu-Yu. Grabbing the balcony railing Chi-Ming hangs on but Siu-Yu is sucked into the sky. 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, in hope of finding her. He walks out onto the road, nearly being hit by a car. Looking through the window for a split second, he thought the female driver was Siu-Yu, but then notices it wasn't and lets her drive away. With an emotional look, he removes his glasses and looks up into 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
  • Ni Shu Chun 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 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". He then walked away and joined his family. That night, Wong 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.[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 Ngai and he wanted her to play the role of 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. The song also went on to receive a nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards but lost to the romance-drama movieA Certain Romance (1984).[5][7] A version in Mandarin, known as huànyǐng, also sung by Alan Tam, was also later released.[8]

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."[9] dighkmovies.com described it as "run-of-the-mill" but with "modicum charm."[10] While another review at sogoodreviews.com calls it a "true Hong Kong product" with a "stylish tension-filled ending".[11] On the Chinese movie review website, Douban, it received an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 based on 275 user reviews,[12] and also made the list for the 10 Best Chinese Ghost Movies on Screen Junkies by coming in at number 2.[13]

Nominations

Awards
Award Category Name/Recipient Result Lost to
4th Hong Kong Film Awards[7] Best Original Film Song
Illusion
Music by: Lam Manyee
Lyrics by: Lam Man-Chung
Sung by: Alan Tam
Nominated 少女日記
A Certain Romance (1984)

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 was featured as part of Channel 4's Chinese Ghost Story season introduced by Johnathan 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

VHS releases

Release date
 Country
 Classifaction
 Publisher
Format
Language Subtitles Notes
9 July 1998 United States NR Tai Seng Entertainment NTSC Cantonese English [22]

Laserdisc releases

Release date
 Country
 Classifaction
 Publisher
Catalog No
Format
Language Subtitles Notes
August 1990 Hong Kong N/A Golden Cinema City Video Distribution A025 CLV / NTSC Cantonese, Mandarin English, Chinese Ratio: 1.75:1, Audio: Stereo, 2 Sides, 96 minutes [23][24]

VCD releases

Release date
 Country
 Classifaction
 Publisher
Format
Language Subtitles Notes
Unknown Hong Kong N/A Megastar (HK) NTSC Cantonese, Mandarin English 2 VCDs [25]
Unknown Hong Kong N/A Deltamac (HK) NTSC Cantonese English, Traditional Chinese 2 VCDs [26]
5 December 2003 China N/A HEI LONG JIANG YIN XIANG CHU BAN SHE NTSC Mandarin None 2 VCDs [27]
8 May 2008 Hong Kong N/A Joy Sales (HK) NTSC Cantonese, Mandarin English, Traditional Chinese 2 VCDs Digitally Remastered [28]

DVD releases

Release date
 Country
 Classifaction
 Publisher
Format
Region
Language
 Sound
Subtitles
Notes
29 May 2003 Hong Kong IIA Deltamac (HK) NTSC ALL Cantonese, Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese [29]
13 December 2005 United States N/A Megastar/
Tai Seng Video (US)		 NTSC ALL Cantonese, Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese [30]
11 October 2007 Japan N/A Universal Pictures Japan NTSC 2 Cantonese Unknown Japanese Digitally Remastered [31]
27 May 2008 Hong Kong IIA Joy Sales (HK) NTSC ALL Cantonese, Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese Digitally Remastered [32]

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 0-9675185-2-0. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Raymond Wong (2008). An Interview with Raymond Wong (DVD) (in Cantonese). 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. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 O'Brien, Daniel (2003). Spooky Encounters: A Gwailo's Guide to Hong Kong Horror. Chapter One – Ghost Galore: Headpress. pp. 38–41. ISBN 1-900486-31-8. 
  6. ↑ "Chinese – English Dictionary". MDBG. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "List of Award Winner of The 4th Hong Kong Film Awards" (in Chinese). Hong Kong Film Awards. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  8. ↑ "Shou Lin Ying Shi Ge Alan Tam". iTunes. 2005. Retrieved 31 January 2012. 
  9. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour". Love HK Film. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  10. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour". dighkmovies.com. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  11. ↑ "Esprit D'amour (1983)". sogoodreviews.com. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  12. ↑ "阴阳错 (1983)" (in Chinese). Douban. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  13. ↑ Tsang, Sylvia (11 March 2012). "10 Best Chinese Ghost Movies". Screen Junkie. Retrieved 29 January 2012. 
  14. ↑ Esprit D'amour (1983) at the Wayback Machine (archived 25 September 2010)
  15. ↑ "Box Office Hong Kong 1983 [Chinese Movies]". movieworld.com. Retrieved 28 January 2012. 
  16. ↑ "boxoffice hong-kong". cinemasie.com. Retrieved 28 January 2012. 
  17. ↑ "Programme History". channelx.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2012. 
  18. ↑ Johnathan Ross Chinese Ghost Stories Season. Youtube.com. 1990. Event occurs at 1:15. 
  19. ↑ "May/June 2010 Events". utoronto.ca. Retrieved 14 October 2012. 
  20. ↑ "Fancy Free Hong Kong Films on 35mm This Weekend?". twitchfilm.com. Retrieved 14 October 2012. 
  21. ↑ "Hong Kong "ghost comedies" shown in Toronto's Asian Heritage Month". archive.hketo.ca. Retrieved 19 February 2013. 
  22. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour [VHS]". Amazon.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  23. ↑ "esprit d'amour (Yam yeung choh) Widescreen Rare LaserDisc". dadons-laserdiscs.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  24. ↑ 'amour-(Yam-yeung-choh)-(1983) "Esprit d'amour (Yam yeung choh) (1983) [A025]". dadons-laserdiscs.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  25. ↑ "VCD Esprit D'Amour Megastar". cinemasie.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  26. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour VCD". yesasia.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  27. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour (VCD) (China Version) VCD". yesasia.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  28. ↑ "VCD Esprit D'Amour Joy Sales – remastered edition". cinemasie.com. Retrieved 14 October 2012. 
  29. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour Deltamac CO. LTD DVD". play-asia.com. Retrieved 14 October 2012. 
  30. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour (US Version) DVD Region All". yesasia.com. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  31. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour Digitally Remastered Edition". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 9 October 2012. 
  32. ↑ "Esprit D'Amour [Digitally Remastered]". play-asia.com. Retrieved 9 October 2012. 

External links

Films directed by Ringo Lam
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