Title: A Simple Life
Released: 9 March 2012
Genre: Drama
Director: Ann Hui

Casts
Deannie Yip, Andy Lau, Qin Hailu, Paul Chun Pei, Wang Fuli, Anthony Wong

Synopsis
After an elderly maid for a Hong Kong film producer has a stroke, he finds a nursing home for her to move into. With that simple premise, based on the real life story of producer Roger Lee and his actual family's amah Chung Chun-tao (aka Ah Tao), Hong Kong director Ann Hui has crafted one of her greatest films. This low-key masterpiece of almost documentary realism features big stars and nonprofessionals: king of Hong Kong cinema Andy Lau plays Roger and the remarkable actress Deannie Yip plays Ah Tao; elderly residents play themselves.

Quiet, polite, almost diffident Roger negotiates film budgets for a living. At home, he's aided by his family's long-time maid (amah), Ah Tao, who's been with his family for over 60 years. She's a tough bargainer in her own right, buying just the right ox tongue in the market for Roger's favourite stew. But when she collapses from a stroke, she's the one who needs to be cared for. According to her wishes, Roger finds a nursing home for her to live in. She gradually integrates into a new society with strong characters each with their own stories.

Deannie Yip, winner of two Hong Kong Film Awards more than 20 years ago, is remarkable as Ah Tao, embodying a quiet but vibrantly alive woman whose spirit, once sharp, now flickers with age. Andy Lau's performance gives her perfect support: reserved, subtle, self-effacingly warm. Ann Hui's brilliant filmography extends back to 1979: this new work instantly earns pride of place as one of its glories.

Trailer


+credits to cathy+