Peking Opera Blues


Peking Opera Blues is a 1986 Hong Kong film directed by Tsui Hark. The movie combines comedy, Hong Kong action, and serious drama with scenes involving Peking Opera. Director Tsui Hark described the film as a satire on the "Chinese ignorance of democracy." The film was nominated for six awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards including Best Actress.

Synopsis

The film is set in 1913 Beijing, during Yuan Shikai's presidency of the country. It depicts the adventures of a team of unlikely heroines: Tsao Wan, a patriotic rebel who dresses as a man; Sheung Hung, a woman in search of a missing box of jewels; and Bai Niu, the daughter of a Peking Opera impresario.

Title

The Chinese title translates as Knife Horse Actresses, a term used in Peking Opera to refer to male actors playing female warriors. It is sometimes erroneously translated as Knife Horse Dawn, because both words are represented by the same Chinese character.

Cast and roles

The film grossed $17,559,357 HKD in Hong Kong.
In his Wrap Up video to the Region 1 DVD of Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express, Quentin Tarantino refers to Peking Opera Blues as "one of the greatest films ever made" and "a blast––it's a lot of fun."

Awards

YearCategoryRecipientResult
1987Best ActressSally YehNominated
1987Best Supporting ActorPaul ChunNominated
1987Best Action ChoreographyChing Siu-tungNominated
1987Best CinematographyHang-Sang PoonNominated
1987Best Film EditingDavid WuNominated
1987Best Art DirectionVincent Wai
Kim-Sing Ho
Chi-Hing Leung		Nominated