Beauty Remains
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Profile
- Movie: Beauty Remains
- Chinese: 美人依旧 (Mei ren yi jiu)
- Director: Ann Hu
- Writer: Michael Eldridge, Beth Schacter
- Producer:
- Cinematography:
- Release Date: February 14, 2005
- Runtime: 95 min
- Language: Mandarin
- Country: China, Hong Kong, US
Plot
Beauty Remains tells the story of two sisters—Fei (Xun Zhou) and Ying (Vivian Wu)— separated by the dictates of custom, bound together by the will of their recently deceased father, Master Li, a legendary entrepreneur and a man who has “made generations of women suffer.”
The illegitimate daughter of Master Li and the maid of the household, Fei has grown up in disgrace while her half-sister, Ying, has lived a life of opulent leisure. When Master Li dies, the sisters learn that the continuation of Fei’s academic scholarship and the liquidation of the family’s estate are contingent upon the return of Fei to the Li household.
Forced to invite her half-sister back into the family fold, Ying is enraged. Ying assumes, however, that this proud young woman will be no threat to her eventual claim to the family fortune. But there is one complication Ying didn’t count on. . .
Though Ying and Huang (Zhiwen Wang)—a charismatic casino owner and reformed roué—have intended to marry for many years, their relationship has always been tumultuous. Now, as two women whose lives have been dictated by the often cruel 8 decrees of men struggle to transcend that influence, Huang is forced to choose between the love of the woman who enchants him and the reckless affair that will tear a household apart.
Director's Statement
Beauty Remains revolves around Fei, a charming, youthful girl who is the illegitimate daughter of a maid and the master of the household. Having been cast out of the house many years ago, Fei has grown up in disgrace, deprived of her social identity, her father’s love, and the family’s vast wealth. Given a chance to return to her former home and reclaim her good name, Fei embarks on a journey seeking independence and love. What eventually follows is the choice she must make between her hatred and love for her family.
During the script development process, I always felt Fei should gain our sympathies easily. But during the shoot, I struggled with Fei’s character as she loses her innocence and hurts the ones that love her most. Is she a good person? Are her actions justified because of her family history? Are any of us ever justified when we act upon our feelings and beliefs? I was torn between rushing to judge Fei and my feelings of compassion for her.
The solution wasn’t found until we shot the final scene. The lighting was dim, and though I couldn’t see her face through the monitor, I could feel Fei’s laughter and tears. At that moment, I knew I had gained the emotional balance that I was looking for. —Ann Hu
Notes
Filmed on location in Qingdao, China
Cast
- Xun Zhou - Fei
- Vivian Wu - Ying Zi
- Zhiwen Wang - Mr. Huang
- Xue Ju
- Lisa Lu - The Woman Gambler
- Lixin Yang
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