An Enchanting Chinese Fairy Tale Reborn

A Chinese Ghost Story was one of the first Hong Kong movies to really break through to a Western audience in the form it was made, finding considerable success on the UK and US arthouse circuits back in the late 80s. The story was loosely based on a Qing Dynasty literature ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’, which is a collection of nearly five hundred mostly supernatural tales written by Pu Songling. While it has been retold several times, Tony Ching Siu-Tung directed and Tsui Hark produced version is still the most well known until now. In an incredibly colorful and incomprehensible explosion of fantastical storytelling and supernatural romance, it follows a naive tax collector as he seeks shelter from a storm in an abandoned temple and finds himself befriended by a wisecracking Taoist monk/swordsman, seduced by a beautiful ghost, and stalked by a long-tongued tree demon. Wholeheartedly agree with the premise, the movie takes the viewer to the world of ancient China and the netherworld of demons, undead, ghosts, and other spirits. The blend between these worlds is so seamless and smooth that it blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. Beside its impressive visuals, "A Chinese Ghost Story" also features some heart-stopping stunts and kung fu action, gorgeously choreographed by Ching, nicely combined with the movie’s pre-CGI special effects. It later spawned two sequels, an animated remake, and the Swordsman films, and though aficionados debate their relative merits, the original is unquestionably hard to top. Based on an idea that the story still could use a fresh coat of paint, director Wilson Yip, who’s fresh of his Ip Man series success, aims to put his own spin on the beloved forbidden love tale. His updated version will be more of a re-imagining, featuring a brand new story and special effects while maintaining the feel of the old films. Yip is said to focus this film more on the antics of the swordsman than the tax collector, and there will be more of a love triangle going on as both men vie for the attention of the beautiful ghost. And while the Chinese language title is similar to previous film, but internationally, this new version will be marketed as “A Chinese Fairy Tale” instead of “A Chinese Ghost Story”. However, the film success really depend on what Yip has in store. In addition, while the original version had it's own charm with late actor Leslie Cheung (The Phantom Lover, Farewell My Concubine) as the naive guy, Joey Wong (City Hunter, Shanghai Story) as the beautiful siren, and China veteran actor Wu Ma as the Taoist ghosthunter, the stars of Hong Kong today who are tipped to play the main trio are Louis Koo (Robin-B-Hood) as the Swordsman Yen, a relative newcomer Yu Shaoqun (Shaolin) as the bumbling tax collector, and actress-singer Liu Yifei (Forbidden Kingdom) is the attractive spirit. There was absolutely some flaks followed the reboot decision, because some fans felt the original film should be left alone also no one on the original production, including producer Tsui Hark, is involved. But if early teasers are any indication, director Wilson Yip is right on track with his own spin.

The new ‘re-imagining’ story still remain a mystery, but here’s the story of the original 80’s movie version: Ning Caichen is a young tax collector, who upon finding that his tax records have been destroyed by the rain, seeks shelter at Lan Ro Temple in the near by forest to rewrite the books. Unbeknownst to him the temple is haunted. Arriving at the temple he meets Yan Chixia. Yan is a legendary taoist swordsman who has spent his life fighting criminals, but dispirited, he has now sought refuge from the world of man in the haunted temple. Failing to scare Ning away, to save him from the ghosts that haunt the forest, Yan instead keeps an eye on the young man.
One night Ning meets a beautiful young woman, Nie Xiaoqian, and they instantly fall in love with each other. But Nie is actually one of many ghosts who is forced by an evil 1000 year old tree spirit to entrap men so it can suck the youth from them with it's huge tongue! This spirit is a curious mixture of a male and a female, resulting in sentences being said in both a male and female voice! Nie is also being sent to marry the Black Lord, an ancient hell dwelling demon, in 3 days. Even when Ning discovers the truth about her, his love for Nie never fails and together with Yan he sets out to recover the urn that houses her ashes to return them to her family's estate so she can be reborn. But time is running out, the tree spirit is after them and the Black Lord wants his bride. It's a quest that will pit our trio against zombies, demons, an army of the undead, and the tree spirits killer tongue....

Excerpts from the fairy tale conference:

# Playing the priest Yan Chi Xia, Louis Koo, who has to project a intimidating look as a demon hunter, was very touched when he first heard the premise from the director, "This film is something that we have not seen before, the director is making something new, he says he has an award-winning material."

# Liu Yi Fei admits to not having watched Joey Wong's version of ‘A Chinese Ghost Story’, "The director told me there was no need to watch the original version, as there are only 2 pages in the novel pertaining to this story, both versions are filled up with their own imaginations. And as I have wanted to present an entirely new image from the outset, so might as well not watch the previous one."

# Yu Shao Qun on reprising the role of the bookworm tax collector made famous by Leslie Cheung, "I have no inkling how I was chosen for this role, I wouldn't attempt toppling the older version, it's been so many years, an all new production would introduce many new elements. I would seek guidance from all seniors, my Ning Cai Chen is sincere, kind-hearted, persevering, and valiant. I hope the audience would only pass judgment on this character after having watched my interpretations."

# Kara Hui (The Inspector Wears Skirts, Zen of Sword) is playing the tree demoness Huan Ji, "There is no right or wrong, only differences in standpoints. From my standpoint, I'm but protecting my own interests that have been encroached. In all my years of acting, I have never attempted such a role before. I'm a little anxious, a little stressed, but hope to have breakthrough. It's an honour to work with such a talented team, director Wilson Yip, and the crew, as well as the cast. Yu Shao Qun and Liu Yifei are newcomers, I have seen their works, they have great potential in acting. And I have known Louis Koo for ages, and will have various scenes opposite him, hopefully, there will be surprises."

# Along with his new vision, a new character will also be added into the story. Fan Siu Wong (Ip Man) who plays the role took some time to explain it. “Xiaxue Feng Lei is a family man who cares very much for his sister. While he couldn’t understand why his junior Yan Chi Xia would be so besotted with demoness Nie Xiao Qian, he is not completely unsympathetic. He may appear aloof and cold but is actually warm-hearted. Our action choreographer is Ma Yuk Sing, his choreography tends towards the aesthetics and mood, so my moves are more ethereal, not as ferocious as in the past.”

Mark your calendar on:
April 24, 2011: China, Hong Kong

Sources: Wu-Jing.org – Photos courtesy of Media Asia Films