Seoul [South Korea], May 24: After nearly 40 years since its release and its sensational impact in Hong Kong cinema, the classic film Rouge (1987)-featuring the legendary duo Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui-will officially be released in Vietnam.
Adapted from the novel of the same name by writer Li Bihua and directed by the talented Stanley Kwan, the film swept major awards such as the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Asia-Pacific Film Festival, and won three Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. It also achieved record-breaking box office revenue of over 17 million Hong Kong dollars at the time.
The story is set in the luxurious teahouses of 1930s Hong Kong, revolving around a class-divided love affair between wealthy heir Chan Chen-pang (Twelve Master) and the courtesan Fleur. Forbidden by their families, they choose to commit suicide by poison so they can be together in the afterlife. However, Fleur's spirit cannot pass on and instead wanders the human world for over 40 years searching for her lover, eventually drawing a young modern-day couple into a journey uncovering a tragic broken promise.
Anita Mui went to great lengths to star alongside Leslie Cheung
Rouge is considered one of the top 100 greatest Chinese-language films of all time. Few people know that the iconic role of Chan Chen-pang was not originally intended for Leslie Cheung and almost got canceled if not for Anita Mui's sacrifice.
At the beginning of production, all three lead actors initially dropped out due to multiple script changes, leaving Anita Mui as the only one who stayed because she deeply loved her role as Fleur. Realizing that no one suited Chan Chen-pang better than Leslie Cheung-but also knowing he was signed to a rival company, Tsui Hark's Cinema City-"The Ever-Changing Queen" made a bold decision. She agreed to act in a film for the rival company for free in exchange for Leslie Cheung's release to join Golden Harvest and work with her.
Their on-screen chemistry deeply impressed director Stanley Kwan. He recalled: "In the first week of shooting, I realized how Anita Mui's stage experience since childhood created a strong foundation. She acted with fire and brought Fleur to life."
Initially, Leslie Cheung's role had very little screen time and was expected to take only 10 days to shoot. But once he appeared in costume, the entire crew was stunned, as if Chan Chen-pang had stepped out of the novel. The director immediately revised the script, doubling his screen time to more than 20 shooting days. Their expressive eyes and restrained intimate scenes created a love story that was sensual, haunting, and deeply realistic.
Untold stories about Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui
The bond between Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui went far beyond ordinary friendship. During a concert, when Anita Mui tearfully said, "I think Leslie Cheung is my only true friend," he immediately interrupted her and said, "You have many friends, but I am your family." This statement reflected their deep, almost sibling-like connection.
Their bond was so strong that Leslie once jokingly made a promise to his close friend: "Remember, you once said that if you're not married by 40, you would marry me. I don't want that day to come."
However, fate turned that promise into tragedy. In 2003, when Anita Mui turned 40, Leslie Cheung-struggling with severe depression-tragically took his own life by jumping from the 24th floor of a hotel. Less than nine months later, Hong Kong fans suffered another devastating loss when Anita Mui passed away after bravely battling cervical cancer.
Although both left the world at a very young age carrying their personal sorrows, for fans, the re-release of Rouge on the big screen offers a chance to relive their timeless performances-where their talent and brilliance remain forever preserved in cinema history.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
