Chinese Odyssey 2002

In Ming Dynasty China, two pairs of siblings – a prince
(Chang Chen) and princess (Faye Wong), and an outlaw
(Tony Leung) and his tomboy sister (Vicky Zhao) – are des-
tined for each other. But Fate throws countless obstacles in
the way of their happiness.
Wong Kar-wai is the producer of this piece of silliness
by Hong Kong movie veteran Jeff Lau, who in 1994 directed
Chinese Odyssey 1 and 2. This ﬁ lm marks the ﬁ rst reunion
of Tony Leung and Faye Wong since Wong Kar Wai’s
Chungking Express. Chinese Odyssey 2002 is more a comic
Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker version of Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon, and less a pensive, arty Wong, highlighted
for example, when Tony Leung intimates John Travolta to
hilarious results, or various Sergio Leone characters. Gen-
der confusion abounds as the two sets of siblings stumble
toward their most appropriate romantic conﬁ gurations.
Tony Leung (who can also be seen in this year’s festival’s
starstudded Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs) is great in the
male lead. Faye Wong, who started her career as a singer, has
the opportunity to show her talent within that area as well as
her acting skills.
Chinese Odyssey 2002 is a typical ”mo lei tow” ( meaning
”nonsense”) ﬁ lm, part of the particular genre that includes
Flying Daggers (1993) or, more recently, Stephen Chow’s
brilliant Shaolin Soccer (2001). The ﬁ lm’s crazy attitude
reminds one of The Simpsons set in Ming Dynasty China.
SOFIE DAHLSTEDT & NICOLAS DEBOT

Medverkande
Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Faye Wong, Vicky Zhao Wei: Producent
Wong Kar-Wai: Manus
Ji An: Foto
Ngor Chi-Wan: Musik
Franki Chan: Talat språk
Mandarin