Hua Pi   2008   China, Hong Kong, Singapore Painted Skin
Painted Skin Image Cover
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Director:Gordon Chan
Studio:Golden Sun Films
Writer:Gordon Chan, Abe Kwong, Ho Leung Lau, Songling Pu
IMDb Rating:6.3 (1,632 votes)
Awards:6 wins & 19 nominations
Genre:Action, Drama, Thriller
Duration:103 min
Languages:Mandarin
IMDb:1055300
Search:NetflixYouTube
Gordon Chan  ...  (Director)
Gordon Chan, Abe Kwong, Ho Leung Lau, Songling Pu  ...  (Writer)
 
Donnie Yen  ...  Pang Yong
Xun Zhou  ...  Xiao Wei
Kun Chen  ...  Wang Sheng
Wei Zhao  ...  Chen Peirong
Betty Sun  ...  Xia Bin
Yuwu Qi  ...  Xiao Yi
David Leong  ...  Xia Hou Xiang
Ikuro Fujiwara  ...  Composer
Arthur Wong  ...  Cinematographer
Ki-hop Chan  ...  Editor
Summary: Though the story is based mainly on a supernatural premise, it is more of a love story rather than a ghost/horror film. It is based on Pu Songling's classic novel, Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio. Zhou Xun starrs Xiao Wei, a fox spirit (huli jing) that feasts on human hearts in order to maintain her lovely, youthful appearance. When General Wang Sheng (Chen Kun) 'rescues' her from a band of bandits and brings her home, trouble brews as the demon falls in love with the general, who is married to Pei Rong (Zhao Wei).

Another (older) love triangle is present, between the general's brother Pang Yong (Donnie Yen), the general, and his wife. Pei Rong asks Pang Yong for help as she suspects Xiao Wei for what she really is. Pang Yong is aided by an inexperienced 'demon buster', Xia Bing (Betty Sun). Hints of a developing relationship between Xia Bing and Pang Yong are there, although this is never really explored. Another subplot revolves around Xiao Wei's lizard demon ally (Qi Yuwu) who has unreciprocated feelings for her and helps her get all the human hearts she needs.


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