Durian Durian (Chinese: 榴槤飄飄) is a 2000 Hong Kong film directed by Fruit Chan. The film portrays the experiences of a young girl, Fan (Mak Wai-Fan), and her sex worker neighbour, Yan (Qin Hailu), in Hong Kong. The film was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 57th Venice International Film Festival.[2]
| Durian Durian | |||||||||||
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 Movie poster for Durian Durian | |||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 榴槤飄飄 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 榴莲飘飘 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Durian fluttering in the wind | ||||||||||
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| Directed by | Fruit Chan | ||||||||||
| Written by | |||||||||||
| Produced by | Carrie Wong | ||||||||||
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Lam Wah Chuen | ||||||||||
| Edited by | Tin Sam Fat | ||||||||||
| Music by | |||||||||||
Release date |
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Running time | 116 minutes | ||||||||||
| Country | Hong Kong | ||||||||||
| Languages | Cantonese Mandarin | ||||||||||
| Box office | HKD523,015[1] | ||||||||||
Plot
editYan is a prostitute from the mainland in Hong Kong, living near Fan and her family, who are staying in the area illegally. Yan meets Fan in a laneway behind Portland Street and become friends after Yan's pimp is assaulted in front of Fan by an assailant wielding a durian fruit.
Yan services dozens of clients per day and showers compulsively.[3] After her 3-month-stay in Hong Kong, Yan returns to her family and her ex-fiancé in Northeast China to invest what she has earned.[4] Yan remains in contact with Fan, receiving a durian from her as a gift.
Cast
editProduction
editFan was featured in Little Cheung, a film which also deals with poverty and life as an immigrant. This film also centres upon Portland Street in Kowloon.[6]
Chan became interested in the topic of prostitution while filming Little Cheung in Kowloon, where he met and interviewed various prostitutes.[7] While filming in mainland China, Chan found the public toilets to be terrible and very different. This served as inspiration for his next film Public Toilet (2002).[7]
Reception
editIn addition to numerous awards, the film has received critical acclaim. Reviews have praised Chan and actresses Qin Hailu and Mak Wai-Fan, and emphasise themes of contrast, urban squalor, youthful optimism, and alienation.[4][8] The film has been called "deliberate and brooding".[9]
Awards
editAt the 20th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2001, Durian Durian was nominated for the Best Film, Best Director (Fruit Chan), Best Screenplay (Fruit Chan), Best Actress (Qin Hailu), Best New Performer (Qin Hailu) and Best Art Direction (Tin Muk) awards. It won the awards for Best Film and Best New Performer.[10] It was awarded Best Film at the 2001 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards. The film also won the Best Picture award at the 38th Golden Horse Awards, with Qin winning the Best Actress and Best New Performer awards.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Durian, Durian". HKMDB. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
- ^ "U.S. pix miss the boat for Venice". Variety. 28 July 2000. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "World/Independent Film: Durian Durian". about.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ a b Kraicer, Shelly. "Durian Durian: a Review". chinesecinemas.org. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ "Durian, Durian". chibesecinemas.org. 2000. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- ^ Zhang 2004
- ^ a b Gatto, Robin; Sonatine (May 2002). "Interview Fruit Chan". www.cinemasie.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- ^ Mitchell, Elvis (5 April 2001). "FILM REVIEW; Escaping Hong Kong's Streets, Aided by an 8-Year-Old". movies.nytimes.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ Cowan, Noah. "Durian Durian Review (posted on official site)". Contemporary World Cinema. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ "第二十屆香港電影金像獎得獎名單(Winners of the 20th Hong Kong Film Awards)". Hong Kong Film Awards. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
- ^ "China's filmmakers invade Taiwan". Taipei Times. 9 December 2001. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
Zhang, Yingjin (2004). Chinese National Cinema. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-17289-6.