Rouge胭脂扣 (1988)

Rouge (胭脂扣) is a 1988 Hong Kong film, directed by Stanley Kwan. The movie is the adaptation of the novel by Lilian Lee.

Plot
 
Chan Chen-Pang, better known as the "12th Young Master" (played by Leslie Cheung), was a fashionable playboy who frequented the opium dens prevalent in Hong Kong in 1934, wher he met the high-class and much sought-after courtesan, Fleur (Anita Mui).

They began a passionate love affair, something frowned upon by the family of 12th Master, who held sway over the business of the area. Clearly, their love was doomed when it was found out. Seeing no way to pursue their love in life, on March 8 at 11pm, the couple resolved to commit suicide together by swallowing opium, and promise to meet again in the afterlife. After waiting for Chan in hell for 50 years, Fleur returns to the world of the living to look for him, wondering why he has not emerged. A spirit now, she searches for her lover in a Hong Kong she no longer recognizes. She decides to place a newspaper advertisement seeking Chan (using the code "3811", to indicate the eighth day of the third month at eleven pm, the time of their suicide), and enlists the assistance of Yuen (Alex Man) and his understandably suspicious girlfriend, Chor (Emily Chu).

 

Fleur did find her lover in the end, but she was surprised, dismayed and felt cheated, as Chen-Pang did not die in the suicide pact. How he survived the suicide attempt was not explained, but Fleur seemed to have understood that he had not been entirely honest on his part. Not surprisingly, due to his wayward and flirtatious nature, he was reduced to poverty wher he lived to be an old and forgotten man well into his late 70s, making a living as a Chinese opera stand-in and living in the cramped quarters of the opera set itself. Recognising Fleur instantly, he begged her for her forgiveness but his pleas fell on deaf ears. As she drifted effortlessly away, Fleur realised that he had indeed suffered much more than she had, as his guilty conscience haunted him for so many years. She returned the rouge case he gave her 50 years ago. Retribution has been paid in kind and she was content to leave as the living world is no longer her home.

Cast includes

Leslie Cheung - Chan Chen-Pang
Anita Mui - Fleur
Alex Man - Yuen
Irene Wan - Shu-Hsien
Emily Chu - Ah Chor
Kara Hui - Actress Portraying Ghost
Lau Kar Wing - Movie Director
Patrick Tse - Brothel Patron
Ruby Wong
Jackie Chan Stunt Team - extra/stunts

Awards
 
1988 Torino International Festival of Young Cinema: International Feature Film Competition Special Mention
1988 Nantes Three Continents Festival: Golden Montgolfiere
1988 Golden Horse Film Festival: Best Actress (Anita Mui)
1989 Asia-Pacific Film Festival: Best Actress (Anita Mui)
1989 Hong Kong Film Awards: Best Actress (Anita Mui), Best Director (Stanley Kwan), Best Film Editing, Best Original Film Score, Best Original Film Song ("Yin Ji Kau"), Best Picture