A SIMPLE LIFE

Roger Leung (Andy Lau), a film producer in Hong Kong, unmarried and middle-aged, lives alone with Ah Tao (Deanie Ip), the housekeeper who has served his family for decades. She cooks, he eats; little is said. Then Ah Tao suffers a stroke. She no longer wants to serve or to be cared for – she asks Roger to take her to a care home. He does, and because for the first time he must look after her instead of being looked after, something develops between the two of them that goes beyond an employer’s duty. “A Simple Life” by Ann Hui, Hong Kong 2011, is based on the memories of producer Roger Lee of his own family’s housekeeper.

Hui tells the story without melodrama, in small everyday scenes shot in the Mei Foo Sun Chuen housing estate. That Deanie Ip is Andy Lau’s godmother and has played his screen mother several times before lends the pair’s rapport its ease. The premiere took place in competition at Venice in 2011, where Ip became the first actress from Hong Kong to win the Coppa Volpi; five awards followed at the Hong Kong Film Awards, including best film and best director. The film was shown at Around the World in 14 Films in Berlin in 2012.

Shown at the 2012 edition of Around the World in 14 Films.

All films 2012 · Film Archive