Chinese director Peter Chan’s big-hearted and humorous classic romantic tale follows two Chinese mainlanders over a decade beginning in 1986 in Hong Kong, and concluding in New York. Young man Xiao-Jun (Leon Lai) moves to Hong Kong, determined to earn money before bringing over his mainland fiancée, Fang Xiao-ting (Kristy Yeung). He meets the ambitious hard working Qiao (Maggie Cheung) who works in a McDonalds. They hit it off and a fluctuating relationship as friends and lovers begins, their paths separating and intertwining over the years.

The film reflects on the experiences of youth, displacement, Chinese diaspora and cultural identity, trying to find a place in a vibrant Hong Kong. The film’s title refers to ‘Tian Mi Mi’, a song by beloved Chinese pop singer Teresa Teng, and an icon for mainland Chinese like Xiao-Jun and Qiao. Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai sparkle with chemistry and charisma; the film is richly detailed, with wonderful moments of high emotions.

This screening will be introduced by Ray Yeates, City Arts Officer for Dublin City Council.

Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard, programmer of EAFFI and EAFFI Discoveries