Jacob Cheung’s first feature as director takes an approach to Chinese historiography quite different from the normal run of costume dramas. Lai Shi enthusiastically volunteers for castration (so that he can join the ranks of the eunuchs who run the imperial household in Beijing) on the very day the Qing Dynasty falls and Republican China is born. Devastated, he makes his way to the capital regardless, working in Peking Opera, winning a position in the former emperor’s retinue and then finding himself on the streets again. Comedy or tragedy? The basic idea clearly came from subversive screenwriter Eddie Fong (writer of all Clara Law’s films, and a fine director in his own right), but it’s taken into unexpected directions by populist entertainer Samo Hung. The mix of talents at work in the film is very productive: it’s funny, touching and even quite educational. Tony Rayns
