Geographical question regarding GOLDEN CHICKEN 2

[Brian Thibodeau]

Just wondering if anyone could tell me the name of the viewing spot that overlooks the city where Sandra Ng begins to tell her story to Chapman To at the start of the film. I've never been to Hong Kong, but have always wondered if these plateaus or lookout points (or whatever they are called) had names. This one in the film appears to have a spectacular view of the city. Any ideas?


(Fantastic film, by the way. Loved how it focused on a particularly difficult year (2003) while making insightful social observations about the city and its inhabitants. Along with Part 1, I'd have to say these are two of the best Hong Kong films to deal explicitly and allegorically with distinctly local issues in the framework of sentimental comedy. There's a lot of rich subtext in both films, although the second one makes a much stronger case for the resilience of the Hong Kong citizen. Beautiful filmmaking. Hopefully the director brings this much depth to his next project)

[dleedlee]

Brian, I don't recall Chicken 2 that well but my first guess would be that it was at the Peak. It's on HK Island and you take the famous tram up the mountain to the Peak. Once you're there, there's a museum, restaurant, lodge, etc. You can walk all around and get great scenic views of the surroundings.

http://www.thepeak.com.hk/intro.html

[Brian Thibodeau]

Thanks for the info. I've heard of the Peak, and seen it in many Hong Kong films. I guess GOLDEN CHICKEN 2 just used angles of it I've yet to see. That said, I'd have to assume the touching final shot of the movie was taken from there as well. The tourist trappings featured on The Peak website kinda remind me of the overpriced eateries, Ripley's museums and gift shops that line the streets around the Canadian side of Niagara falls here in Canada (a couple hours from my city). Love the "EAT Noodles" place and their "EAT sticks."

[dleedlee]

Yeah, it's pretty gaudy now (at least the marketing is) but you can ignore it and still enjoy the view and imagine it in it's more pristine state. I've seen it's incarnation in a lot of older films and it really doesn't look that much different. The tram used to be an old wooden open air carriage not the enclosed air conditioned car it is now. I don't think anyone really goes to the museum/movie theatre except maybe tour groups and such. The one time I was there, the 'attractions' seemed empty. Worth it simply for the view, especially at night.

[Brian Thibodeau]

Hope to see it someday, time and money permitting! Only wish I could live there!

Thanks

[Fan]

Worth it simply for the view, especially at night.

While thinking about to bring the foreign clients to The Peak for the sightseeing during the daytime (normal office hours) or at night (no overtime payment), this message came to my attention. Ok, make it at night la.

Anyway, I didn't watch Golden Chicken 2 but watched 1 and quite enjoyed it, well, it simply talking about the things which actually happened to us or something we are familiar with. The most hilarious scene to us is the one with Richard Li, we were laughing so hard and with tears in our eyes.

[Brian Thibodeau]

It's been awhile since I saw the first Golden Chicken, so I can't really remember Felix Wong's turn as Richard Li. Any chance you could refresh my memory?.

By the way, if you felt the first GOLDEN CHICKEN spoke to the Hong Kong people in a unique way, then you'll definitely love GOLDEN CHICKEN 2. It doesn't cover as many years as the first film, but focuses on the crucial year 2003.

I found much to admire in both of these films, and I'm not even a resident of Hong Kong! I think anyone, Hong Kong Chinese or not, with a serious interest in the city, especially those who've seen hundreds if not thousands of its films, will understand most of what these movies are trying to say. Love the overriding theme of nostalgia and optimism in the face of adversity. The very last shot of GOLDEN CHICKEN 2 will probably bring a tear to your eye. I'm surprised it hasn't been reviewed here yet. Perhaps I'll add one later.

[Fan]

It's been awhile since I saw the first Golden Chicken, so I can't really remember Felix Wong's turn as Richard Li. Any chance you could refresh my memory?.

http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501040223/li.html

What Victor might lack—entrepreneurial sass—Richard has in spades. But that's been a source of trouble, too. In 2000, Richard deftly used inflated stock in PCCW, then an Internet firm, to buy Hong Kong's dominant phone company for $28 billion. But his grandiose vision of transforming the staid blue chip into the world's largest broadband Internet business went kaput with the pop of the tech bubble. At its worst, last August, the stock had plunged 97% from its peak, and Richard's reputation lay in tatters. Indeed, the hit Cantonese movie Golden Chicken featured an embittered prostitute watching Richard's stumbling explanation on TV and yelling, "Shut up before you can remember what you want to say! I've lost everything on your stock! Give me my money back or I'll call the cops!"

I'm surprised it hasn't been reviewed here yet. Perhaps I'll add one later.

Expecting it.

[Brian Thibodeau]

Thanks for that! Now I remember it. One more layer added to a fantastic film!