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Beauty Remains

Written by Nobuhiro Hosoki

 

Chinese-American director Ann Hu here follows up her debut "Shadow Magic," this time tackling another drama that unfolds in Quindao, China, where everyone feels the pressure of the footsteps of Mao's Red Army. Fei (Zhou Xun) is a student at a modest-sized school who has > received an anonymous scholarship. One day, she is summoned by her rich half-sister Lady Ying (Vivian Wu), her a closest companion as a child.

They both share the name of their recently deceased father, Master Li, a successful entrepreneur. Fei's mother once worked as a servant of Master Li before they left his estate due to her service as a mistress to Li. Ying now insists that Fei return to the lavish mansion to collect her inheritance because Li's will requires Fei to sign the papers in person.

Fei is initially skeptical, then she refuses Ying's repeated offer. Meanwhile, an estranged Fei uses a sexual approach to get back at her legitimate sister who once betrayed her. She uses her assets in seducing Ying's fiance, Huang (Want Zhi Wen), a boxing promoter who is now engaged in a shabby casino by the waterfront. Director Ann Hu delicately crafts an intimate family drama as the film expands into far more profound moments, revealing genuine compassion.

The film relies a little on conventional melodrama, but the atmosphere is presented with reflections of a ritualized and mannered society that is well captured through the lens, thanks to Scott Kevan's distinguished cinematography. In the end, the film lingers with your soul, as if you belonged to the family.

Directed by Ann Hu
Written by Beth Schachter, Michael Eldridge and Wang Bin (in Mandarin, with English subtitles)
Director of photography: Scott Kevan
Edited by Sara Thorson
Music by Sasha Gordon
Production designers: Carol Wells and Feng Li Gang
Produced by Ira Deutchman, Ms. Hu, Han San Ping and Ren Zhong Lun
Released by Emerging Pictures.
Running time: 87 minutes. .

Cast: Zhou Xun (Fei)
Vivian Wu (Ying)
Wang Zhi Wen (Huang)
Lisa Lu (the Woman Gambler)
Zhu Man Fang (Bai),
and Shen Chang (Xiao Tian).