City of Glass (玻璃之城) is a 1998 Hong Kong romance film written and directed by Mabel Cheung and starring Leon Lai, Shu Qi, Nicola Cheung and Daniel Wu.
Summary On New Year's Day 1997, a car accident in London, England claims the lives of Raphael (Leon Lai) and Vivien (Shu Qi). The couple was once young lovers during their days at the University of Hong Kong in the 1970s, but had drifted apart and eventually ended up marrying other people and raising their own families. However, they reunited in the 1990s and their love partially rekindled. After their funeral, Raphael's son, David (Daniel Wu), and Vivien's daughter, Susie (Nicola Cheung), learned of their parents' affair and embark on a journey to discover their secret lives. In the end, the two fall in love.
Cast Leon Lai as Raphael Hui Kong-sun Shu Qi as Mrs. Vivien Hung Nicola Cheung as Susie Hung Daniel Wu as David Hui Vincent Kok as Derek Pauline Yam as Raphael's wife Eason Chan as Hung Ping-ching Elaine Jin as Vivien's mom (special appearance) Joe Cheung as Raphael's dad (special appearance) Henry Fong as Vivien's dad Chan Ka-hung as Taxi driver #1 Jimmy Wong as Taxi driver #2 Benny Tse as Taxi driver #3 Wong Sze-yan as Flat buyer Hung Yip as Flate buyer's wife Tong Man-yee as Tiger Singh Laura Clarke as Marliane Griffith Richard Hampton as London detective Muk Sing as Leader of students' protest in '70s Poon Wai-ka as Student of the '70s An Mei-tik as Student of the '70s Wong Fat as Student of the '70s Tam Tik-si as Student of the '70s Leung Suk-chin as Student of the '70s Mak Nga-ka as Student of the '70s Chang Yat-man as Student of the '70s Man Wai-ling as Student of the '70s Yu Hoi-man as Student of the '70s Chan Kit-chi as Student of the '70s Ngai Hoi-yin as Student of the '70s Poon Man-wai as Student of the '70s Yip Tin-pui as Student of the '70s Leung Sin-hang as Student of the '70s Chan Chun-shing as Student of the '70s Leung Kwok-po as Student of the '70s Yan Shui-tong as Student of the '70s Luk Yuk-wai as Student of the '70s Cheung Wing-hang as Student of the '70s Cheung Sau-wai as Student of the '70s Ng Wai-san as Student of the '70s Cheung Hok-ming as Student of the '70s Ben Cheung as Student of the '70s Szeto Chi-kit as Student of the '70s Tang Wing-san as Uncle Henry Chow Ka-lai as Veterinarian Fong Jing-to as Member of band Poon Pau-lok as Member of band Leung Kam-biu as Member of band Carthy Rosslyn as Warden of Lady Hall Chui Wing-suen as Dr. Bernadette Tsui Hung Man-ling as Student of the '90s Lam Yuk-jan as Student of the '90s Lam Siu-bing as Student of the '90s Luk Yan as Student of the '90s Yeung Lam as Student of the '90s Cheung Pui-san as Student of the '90s Yeung Yat-man as Student of the '90s Lee Pui-ling as Student of the '90s Cheung Yuet-fan as Student of the '90s Chan Ka-ying as Student of the '90s Yiu Koon-tung as Student of the '90s Lee Hon-wai as Student of the '90s Chan Chui-hung as Student of the '90s Wong Yan-wing as Student of the '90s Chan Man-ho as Student of the '90s Ng Shiu-wa as Student of the '90s Lee Hon-ban as Student of the '90s Chan Cheuk-wing as Student of the '90s Chiu Kin-tong as Student of the '90s Yau Wai-hung as Student of the '90s Leung Wing-ban as Chinese language teacher Paul Cliff as Pilot trainer Hogan Ho as Pilot trainer Charles Montgomery as Pilot trainer Sam Pau-man as Paul Paul Harrington as Riot Central Officer Craig Leeson as Riot Central Officer Verner Bickley as Judge David Rosslyn as Professor City of Glass at HKMDB City of Glass at chinesemov.com
Reception The film was deemed a modest commercial success, grossing HK$9 million in its 1998 Hong Kong theatrical release."Review: 'City of Glass'", 21 March 1999. Critical commentary perceived the film as a metaphorical comment on the end of British rule in Hong Kong after the handover to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.Michael Berry, A History of Pain: Trauma in Modern Chinese Literature and Film (Columbia University Press, 2013), , p. 374. Excerpts available at Google Books.Yingjin Zhang, Chinese National Cinema (Psychology Press, 2004), , p. 270. Excerpts available at Google Books.
Awards and nominations Awards and nominations Ceremony Category Recipient Result18th Hong Kong Film AwardsList of Award Winner of The 18th Hong Kong Film Awards (accessed 2014-09-02).Best FilmCity of GlassBest DirectorMabel CheungBest ScreenplayAlex Law, Mabel CheungBest ActorLeon LaiBest ActressShu QiBest New PerformerDaniel WuBest CinematographyJingle MaBest Art DirectionBruce YuBest Costume DesignBruce YuBest Original Film ScoreDick Lee, Chiu Tsang-heiBest Original Film SongSong: No Longer This Life (今生不再) Composer: Dick Lee Lyricist: Lin Xi Singer: Leon LaiBest Sound DesignGolden Harvest Entertainment, Amuse35th Golden Horse Awards"Film stars honored at double festival" , Taiwan Info, 18 December 1998.Best Feature FilmCity of GlassBest DirectorMabel CheungBest ActorLeon LaiBest Original ScreenplayMabel Cheung, Alex LawBest CinematographyJingle MaBest Visual EffectsCentro Digital Pictures LimitedBest Art DirectionBruce YuBest Film EditingMaurice LiBest Sound DesignKinson TsangBest Original Film ScoreDick Lee, Chiu Tsang-heiBest Original Film SongSong: No Longer This Life (今生不再) Composer: Dick Lee Lyricist: Lin Xi Singer: Leon Lai
References
External links
HK Cinemagic entry