Trailer for Ann Hui's Venice contender A SIMPLE LIFE
Always focused on poignant social issues, Hui this time trains her eye on the plight of Ah Tao (Deanie Yip), an elderly housemaid, or "amah" who has spent 60 years in the service of a wealthy Hong Kong family. Today the only member of the family still in town is Roger (Andy Lau), a successful figure in the film industry. However, as her health begins to falter, Roger is overwhelmed by the obligation to put his career on the back burner and tend to Ah Tao. Boasting a fine supporting cast that includes Anthony Wong, Sammo Hung and director Tsui Hark, A SIMPLE LIFE promises to be an honest and heartfelt look at the at-times strained relationships between domestic helpers and the families they become a complicated part of.
Here's the full synopsis from the Venice festival website:
Based on real people and events, Chung Chun-Tao, or Ah Tao, was born in Taishan, China.She was adopted in infancy. Her foster father died during the Japanese Occupation and her foster mother sent her away to work.
Since her teenage years, Chung Chun-Tao has worked as an amah - a servant - for the Leung family. Known as Ah Tao, she has witnessed every aspect of the family's life. Some members of the Leung family have passed away and some have emigrated. Now, after 60 years of service, she is looking after Roger, who works in the film industry and is the only family member left in Hong Kong. One day Roger comes home from work to find that Ah Tao has suffered a stroke. He rushes her to hospital, where she announces that she wants to quit her job and move into an old people's home.
Ah Tao moves in and begins acquainting herself with a new 'family': the brisk but kindly supervisor Ms Choi and a motley crew of elderly residents. Roger comes to realise how much Ah Tao means to him. Roger's mother visits from California and suggests reclaiming an apartment the family owns to provide Ah Tao with a final home of her own. But Ah Tao's health begins to deteriorate rapidly...
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