Love in a Puff
志明與春嬌 (Chi ming yu chun giu)
Hong Kong, 2010, 35 mm, 101'
directed by Pang Ho-cheung
screenplay Pang Ho-cheung, Heiward Mak
cinematography Jason Kwan
music Alan Wong, Janet Yung
sound Tu Duu-chih
montaža/editing Wenders Li
cast Miriam Yeung, Shawn Yue, Cheung Tat-ming
producer Pang Ho-cheung, Subi Liang
production Making Film
world sales Media Asia Films, T +852 231 442 88, E frederick_tsui@mediaasia.com
A romantic comedy about contemporary urban loves that are consumed in passing, typed in text messages and enveloped in the smoke of cigarettes smoked in passages, alleys, on stairs, where the juiciest of jokes, stories and gossips are exchanged.
In 2007, the Hong Kong authorities prohibited smoking in public places and launched a genuine offensive against the inhalation of tobacco smoke. During working hours, employees from various companies started to meet at special locations not included in the prohibition. The meeting points, where nicotine addicts could freely enjoy their vice as well as their colleagues’ gossiping, became a peculiar cultural phenomenon known under the name of “hot pot pack”, as well as places suitable for meeting potential lovers.
It is also just such an ambience that gives birth to a romance between an advertising executive, Jimmy, and a somewhat older cosmetics salesgirl, Cherie, the protagonists of the latest full-length film by filmmaker, novelist and actor Pang Ho-cheung. A week in their life is characterised by tough beginnings to their love affair, communication via text messages and an irresistible need for nicotine.
An easy-going romantic comedy, Love in a Puff (2010), which consistently avoids sentimentality despite playing with some genre clichés, simultaneously offers a lucid insight into the social habits and language of the Hong Kong middle class. Due to the realistic acting of both stars, dialogue with a number of local euphemisms and a focus on quotidian rituals, the film illustrates an original image of contemporary urban life in Hong Kong. The director also incorporated into the principal narrative grainy film shots of performed interviews in which the protagonists share their views on smoking and relationships. By doing so, he added to the impression that Love in a Puff strives to surpass certain limitations of the romantic comedy genre.
“I had a meal with a friend, and then went to his office with him. A lot of women, not his work colleagues but from different floors greeted him in a friendly way by the lift. My friend told me that he came to know these women through smoking in a nearby alleyway because smoking is banned in the office. I was shocked! I have been missing the opportunities to get to know many women because I don’t smoke!” (Pang Ho-cheung)
Pang Ho-cheung
Born in 1973 in Hong Kong, a versatile artist made his first short films at the age of fifteen. Later, he worked as a playwright and a film critic. Johnnie To made a film based on his novel entitled Fulltime Killer from 1997. In 2001, Pang Ho-cheung debuted with his first full-length film You Shoot, I Shoot. With Isabella (2006), he wins the Silver Bear for Best Film Music at the Berlin International Film Festival. Love in A Puff is his ninth full-length film.
Schedule:
- Friday, 10. 6., 12.30, ART KINO ODEON
- Friday, 10. 6., 23.00, Open-Air Cinema MANZIOLI
