Durian Durian

Film description

Yan has come to Hong Kong from north-east China with a three-month visa to work as a prostitute in a social agency. Her days are a monotonous cycle of waiting for clients and serving them in cramped hotel rooms. One day she meets Fan, who lives here illegally with her whole family and earns a living as a dishwasher on the street. For both of them this unusual friendship becomes a gateway from the tough reality.

When Yan comes back to her home town with the money she earned, the landscape and tone of the film change diametrically. The woman is no longer on the margin. Now she can invest her savings and decide on her life.

"Durian Durian" opens another Fruit Chan’s trilogy, which focuses on prostitutes and brings a reflection on the identity of Hong Kong being already a part of China and functioning in "one country, two systems" reality. When the film was created, Hong Kong newspapers were full of stories about Chinese women appearing on the streets of Fragrant Harbour. Carefully designed plot, deep analysis of an important social issue and the outstanding role of debuting Hailu Qin made this almost documentary-style film the greatest artistic triumph in Fruit Chan’s career and assured him recognition both in Hong Kong and at world film festivals, including Venice, where it was shown in the competition.

Marcin Krasnowolski