Anita

In its first week of showing, the film Anita has topped the charts for Hong Kong-made movies.  This was no surprise.  Hong Kong, being in its current state of affairs, is rightly in the mode of nostalgia.  Anita Mui Yeem Fong, the queen of Cantopop during the 1980s, was one of the most cherished icons of that bygone era.

The film is a biographical portrait of Anita Mui’s life, perhaps somewhat dramatized in a rather rosy light.  It begins at Anita Mui’s childhood.  She sings at the night clubs to earn a living at a tender age.  A producer of a record company notices her talent, along with her sister Ann Mui.   He approaches them with an opportunity: join the first New Talent Singing Championship.

The film proceeds in a good pace.  Anita Mui wins the talent show, and the film then depicts how she rises to stardom.  In this early time of her performance career, Anita forms some of the most significant relationships in her life.  The film explores her relationships with her sister, friends, mentors and lovers .

There is a poignant portrayal of her most notable lifelong friendships.  First is with Eddie Lau, who is her mentor and image advisor, and also with actor-singer Leslie Cheung, who also rises to stardom in the same period.  Her friendship with Leslie Cheung has been a positive force in his life.

However, her romantic life, as it truly was in her life, was regretful.  In the 1980s, she has a brief relationship with Japanese actor-singer Kondo Masahiko.  The film tells the story in its best light possible.  It presents a very touching scene where Kondo Masahiko protects Anita Mui, who hides in the closet, by stopping the producer of the record company from confronting and humiliating her.  The film suggests that they end the relationship due to career concerns.  Though in fact, it is well known that Kondo Masahiko is involved in a few relationships at the same time.

Quite a few of my friends have told me that they cried during the film.  I did too, and actually a few times.  The well of emotions that this film elicits is hard to explain.  But let me do try here.

Anita Mui’s life is a testament to Hong Kong’s success.  In her generation, most Hong Kong people have humble roots.  In a balance of luck, hard work, perseverance and raw bravery, she rises to stardom.  These are the qualities of Hong Kong itself, the spirit that enables Hong Kong’s success.  On this point, viewers would naturally share a sense of pride.  I do believe, however, that many Hong Kong people watching the film at this vantage point now lament on Hong Kong’s current state.  Hong Kong is no longer at its heyday.  The tearing factor is that what she stands for is now a thing surely past.  In 2022, Hong Kong is not the same even as compared to to 2003, when Anita dies of cervical cancer at age 40.

The film presents some of Anita’s best-known character authentically.  Her person is itself persuasion, as she does have many admirable qualities.  I was no big fan of hers when I grew up.  But the Hong Kong people knew her character well.  She is strong, principled, hardworking, an exceptional friend, and she gives all in her love life.  Having grown up seeing the seediness of nightclub entertainment, she does certainly have a dark side.  She can be a bully herself, certainly, but she is genuine in her relationships, particularly with her sister Ann Mui, Leslie Cheung and Eddie Lau.  Finally, she was passionate in her dedication to Hong Kong.

Another powerful aspect of the film is the reconstruction of Hong Kong’s old times.  It is perhaps not meant to be subtle but the actors speak in a manner and accent of old Hong Kong.  Of all the acting I first and foremost liked Louis Koo’s role as Eddie Lau.  He presents so well the temperament of a supportive friend to both Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung in the complicated entertainment industry of Hong Kong.  Then of course Louise Wong is simply dazzling in her debut film role as Anita.  The tearing factor in this aspect is the pure hard work shown by all in the cast and production team.  The film is well-done, and the effort is so commendable, that itself is moving.

There is a very careful selection of props.  The rendition of 80s fashion and lifestyle in the film is a major success in bringing back the old times.  I did learn that technology was key in remaking the scenes of the 1980s.  For example, in the scene where Anita and Leslie Cheung promise to support each other at the harbour front, the skyline of Kowloon has to be restored to what it actually looked like in the 1980s.

The exceptional resources, efforts and thoughts that went into the production of Anita are seen throughout the film.  I have heard that the team was stretched beyond its budget and Louis Koo had to contribute his own funds in order to complete it.  Since the film has grossed more than 10 million by now, I am just happy to see that everyone who was involved to be amply rewarded for this production.

Finally, my only critique of the film is that there has not been enough of Anita Mui’s songs.  There were quite a few points with actual footage of her performance interwoven with the re-created scenes, and that was well done.  But I think the film should include some of her best songs in a number of other sections.  I was slightly disappointed that some of my favorite songs of hers are not featured.

Having watched this film, I started thinking that an Anita musical may be a fruitful production as well.