Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ann Hui's A SIMPLE LIFE Trailer Is Beautifully Understated


Ann Hui's latest drama, A SIMPLE LIFE will play in competition at the 68th Venice International Film Festival later this month. According to the Venice film website, here's the full synopsis below (via Twitch):

Based on real people and events, Chung Chun-Tao, or Ah Tao (Deanie Yip), was born in Taishan, China. She was adopted in infancy. Her foster father died during the Japanese Occupation and her foster mother sent her away to work.

Since her teenage years, Chung Chun-Tao has worked as an amah - a servant - for the Leung family. Known as Ah Tao, she has witnessed every aspect of the family's life. Some members of the Leung family have passed away and some have emigrated. Now, after 60 years of service, she is looking after Roger (Andy Lau), who works in the film industry and is the only family member left in Hong Kong. One day Roger comes home from work to find that Ah Tao has suffered a stroke. He rushes her to hospital, where she announces that she wants to quit her job and move into an old people's home.

Ah Tao moves in and begins acquainting herself with a new 'family': the brisk but kindly supervisor Ms Choi and a motley crew of elderly residents. Roger comes to realise how much Ah Tao means to him. Roger's mother visits from California and suggests reclaiming an apartment the family owns to provide Ah Tao with a final home of her own. But Ah Tao's health begins to deteriorate rapidly...

In the meantime, here is the trailer.