The Postmodern Life of My Aunt

Synopsis

Ye Rutang (Siqin Gaowa), a single-living woman in her late fifties, struggles to maintain a dignified life amid the dangers of Shanghai. Living alone in an apartment, she endures gossipy neighbor Mrs Shui (Lisa Lu) and her pampered cat. She is pragmatic, frugal and self-reliant, but her old-fashionedness and trusting nature make it difficult for her to fit into Shanghai society.

After encountering self-proclaimed aesthete Pan Zhichang (Chow Yun-Fat), she falls for Pan and uses her life savings to invest on cemetery spaces on Pan's suggestion. He turns out to be a fraudster.

After being the victim of several con artists, Ye suffers a bad fall and is hospitalized. She decides to leave Shanghai to live with her working-class husband and cook daughter (Zhao Wei) in Anshan.

Release and Reception

The Postmodern Life of My Aunt premiered at film festivals around the world; it was a special presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Perry Lam of Muse gave the film a very positive review: "The Postmodern Life of My Aunt is that rare thing in Hong Kong cinema, one that occupies the shadow land between tragedy and comedy. It's hard to categorize My Aunt and assign it to a genre because its characters are so fully formed and three-dimensional."

Cast and roles

Filming locations

The film is set and was filmed in Shanghai and in Anshan, Liaoning, Northeast China (note: Anshan is the birthplace of director Ann Hui). Filming locations in Shanghai include the overpass at Shaanxi and Yan'an roads, and the old houses on Julu Road. Filming in Anshan took place in the first days of 2006. The snow in Anshan was produced artificially.

Awards and nominations

27th Hong Kong Film Awards

43rd Golden Horse Awards

12th Golden Bauhinia Awards

14th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards