The Soong Sisters
by Mabel Cheung
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DVD details
Actor: Hsing-kuo Wu, Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh, Vivian Wu, Winston ChaoDirector: Mabel Cheung
Cinematographer: Arthur Wong
Editor: Mei Feng
Producer: Raymond Chow
Producer: See-Yuen Ng
Writer: Alex Law
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Chinese (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); Cantonese (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, DVD, Import, Letterboxed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 145 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-03-16
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Tai Seng
DVD Reviews of The Soong Sisters
DVD Review: A History Lesson Nicely Packaged - Is it Simulacra?
Summary: 5 Stars
Provocative and moving are few of the words that come to mind after having viewed this movie. As a short synopsis, The Soong sisters are a troika of daughters of Charlie Soong. Soong created and nurtured a political dynasty in China. The Dynasty, at least as far as the movie is concerned is nothing short of having reached the highest levels of power. As mentioned previously, this movie follows the lives of the three Soong sisters. Educated in America they returned to China to sit and live alongside arguably three of the most influential personalities of transitional China. First, Ai-ling marries a powerful businessman. Second, Ching-ling marries Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary founder of modern China. Third, May-ling marries the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, China's leader during World War II and modern Taiwan's founder. Undoubtedly, all three women exert a profound influence on China. In this gripping historical "docudrama" we move away from the vogue practice of looking at "little people" and focus, big-time, on the big people - and it does not get any bigger than these folks.
I have to admit to having approached this film with some doubts. I hate to admit this too but what really drew me to the movie (and Yes, I did change my mind about it after having watched it - it is deep) was the eye-candy: Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, and Vivian Wu are not difficult to stare at - even for 2 and half hours. However, as I got into the story - not to mention Maggie Cheung's stunning performance as Madam Sun - I was instantly converted.
As a novice in Asian Studies - I will need to dig deeper as I am not familiar with the factual accounts and influence of the Soong Sisters. I can neither verify nor argue the veracity of the movie - but I would certainly urge all those interested in the topic to watch it. Inevitably, the movie will be compared to Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor" where there is an attempt to bring to life the narrative of Qing Emperor Pu Yi. The link is Vivian Wu. As far as the movie is concerned - Sun is the great conciliator while Chang Kai Shek is the great destroyer. Maggie Cheung is amazing as Ching-Ling wife of Sun Yat Sen. She had the hot hand and run with it. The perfunctory close-ups of Cheung show she is only getting better with age. She is still the Cheung of such classics as "Days of Being Wild" and "As Tears Go By." Vivian Wu - well the jury is still out on that one. I will need to see some actual shots of Madame Chiang to see how well she did. Nonetheless, it was not difficult to stay riveted to the screen with her and Michelle Yeoh around.
The one main criticism is that the story had a weak ending. Moving to the standard documentary rehash - well, in my humble opinion, it could have closed better. It deserved a better ending. As a tool for pedagogy, "The Soon Sisters" ranks along side such classics as "The Last Emperor" and "To Live." Bravo!
Miguel Llora
Description of The Soong Sisters
The fascinating life of the Soong Family (ChinaÆs equivent of the Kennedys) is chronicled in this lavish epic melodrama, with an all-star cast headed by Michelle Yeoh, Vivian Wu and Maggie Cheung. To see that China remains a dominant world force after the founding of the Republic by Dr. Sun Yai-sen, the patriotic Charlie Soong sends his three daughters to America for their education. The sistersÆ return to China marks the beginning of their tumultuous lives, as the country endures the Japanese invasion and the subsequent clash between the communists and the nationalists.Bestsellers in DVD
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