Film Forum

Hong Kong cinema pioneer Ann Hui (BOAT PEOPLE, A SIMPLE LIFE) upends conventional expectations of romance and passion while plumbing the possibilities of storytelling, poetry, and love in all its forms in this delicate, sensual family drama. A middle-aged teacher of classical Chinese literature (Jacky Cheung) contends with a troubled, talented student (Karena Lam), his wife’s (Anita Mui) muddied past, and the weight of roads taken and not taken. Made in 2002 but never released in the U.S., JULY RHAPSODY will be presented in a new 4K restoration.

Presented with support from the Reginald S. Reinhardt, Ling-Makekau Fund for Asia-Pacific Films

2002     103 MIN.     HONG KONG     CHENG CHENG FILMS
IN CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

Reviews

“There’s a serenity and quiet beauty about this small but impressive film, thanks in no small degree to the beautifully shaded performances of Jacky Cheung and Anita Mui.”
– David Stratton, Variety 

“Beautiful. Poetry is everywhere…permeating the characters’ daily lives nearly as much as homework or household chores. [Filmmaker Ann] Hui, in turn, brilliantly integrates that sense of poetry into the film’s formal language. The elegant camera movements…or the rapturous images that make up the rose-tinted flashbacks distill complex emotions into imagery as eloquently as any of the verse recited in JULY RHAPSODY.”
– Brad Hanford, Slant