Screenwriter Who Worked With Tony Leung, Leslie Cheung Featured in Exhibition

The National Film and Audiovisual Center is honoring the legendary screenwriter Qiu Gangjian with a special July program titled "Red Chamber Undercurrents: Selected Screenplays by Qiu Gangjian." This exhibition shines a spotlight on the influential writer, whose scripts formed the backbone of numerous cinematic classics across the Chinese-speaking world.

Qiu Gangjian's career is marked by a distinctive ability to push boundaries and anticipate future trends. His 1972 film "The Love Erotic" explored themes of female revenge and forbidden relationships, considered daring for its time. In 1984, "A Mad Woman in Tang Dynasty" challenged traditional female archetypes through the character of Yu Xuanji, whose line, "I have walked paths many women dared not tread," remains a celebrated quote among film enthusiasts.

Beyond eroticism and female empowerment, Qiu's screenplays offered sharp insights into urban relationships. "Women's Hearts," directed by Stanley Kwan, depicted the complexities of love and betrayal within marriage through a love triangle involving Chow Yun-fat, Miao Qianren, and Cherie Chung. "Love Unto Waste," starring Tony Leung, Chow Yun-fat, and Teresa Carpio, intertwined romance, desire, and a murder case to create a captivating urban fable. Qiu himself considered "Love Unto Waste" one of his most satisfying scripts.

The exhibition also includes "Nomad," which featured a young Leslie Cheung and explored themes of youth, politics, and death. "Boat People," directed by Ann Hui, portrayed the plight of refugees after the Vietnam War and marked Andy Lau's debut. Notably, the program will also screen Qiu's directorial work, "Dream of the Red Chamber Awakened," a rare 1970s adaptation of the classic novel set in Singapore, presented in a restored, globally scarce version.

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I have walked paths many women dared not tread.