Comrades, Almost a Love Story, 25 years on: director Peter Chan on casting superstars Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung and its reflection of the tough lives of migrants in 1980s Hong Kong

Director Peter Chan was ‘very convinced’ about casting pop idol Leon Lai, less so about actress Maggie Cheung, he said in a previously unpublished interview

Chan also talks about why the film isn’t a love story. Rather, it’s about life in ’80s Hong Kong for migrants from China like the lead characters, and singer Teresa Teng

Reading Time:5 minutes

Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai in a still from Comrades, Almost a Love Story. In a previously unpublished interview, director Peter Chan expands on his casting choices and the significance of Teresa Teng.

Published: 7:15am, 16 Nov 2021Updated: 8:42am, 16 Nov 2021

Comrades, Almost a Love Story, a bittersweet romance starring Maggie Cheung Man-yuk, Leon Lai Ming and Eric Tsang Chi-wai, opened in Hong Kong cinemas 25 years ago. The film went on to win in nine categories at the 1997 Hong Kong Film Awards and became an undisputed local classic.

Several months after its domestic release on November 2, 1996, the Peter Chan Ho-sun-directed film received a limited release in cinemas in the United States. After a special screening of his film in February 1998, Chan met this writer in New York for the following, previously unpublished interview, in which he talked about casting the film, dealing with the 1997 return of Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong, and the lasting influence of singer Teresa Teng Lai-kwan.

How would you describe the plot?

It’s a film that traces the lives of two mainland Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong and eventually New York. It’s basically about two very lonely people being taken away from their roots. It’s not really a love story because it is not love at first sight. I don’t think they know they love each other. It’s more about sharing an experience together, which leads to a relationship.

You portray immigrant life in Hong Kong as very difficult.