Chinese Chocolate

Directed by Qi Chang and Yan Cui

Canada, 1995 (fiction, 99 minutes, colour, English)

Also known as "Luo niao"

Film Description:
"Following their dreams to the West, two young Chinese women journey to Canada on the same plane in 1986. A sensual story about searching for love in a strange land."
-- WorldCat (source)

Film Credits (partial):
Written by:	Yan Cui, Qi Chang
Based on:	Luo niao, a novel by Qi Chang
Produced by:	Stacey Donen, Yan Cui, Qi Chang, You Ming Cheng, Anne Szamosi, James Purcell
Principal Cast:	Diana Peng, Shirley Cui [Yan Cui], Bo Z. Wang, James Purcell, Henry Wang, Fei Gao
Cinematography:	Michael Spicer
Film Editing:	Edmond Chan
Music:	George Shao-qing Gao, Allan Mah
Production Company:	Good Choice Film Productions

(sources)

Award won by Chinese Chocolate

Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival): CICAE Award, Panorama Section [International Confederation of Art Cinemas] -- awarded to Yan Cui, Qi Chang

Quote by the Director

"It's obvious Westerners have this rigid image of the Chinese. They tend to lump us together as one. I think this film [Chinese Chocolate] will certainly change that image and surprise many. It's not a black or white image we present—our characters come in all shades. Just like everyone else."
-- Yan Cui (source)

Quote about Chinese Chocolate

"Writers and directors Yan Cui and Qi Chang take a sardonic look at life in a Westernized city where everyone seems to be on the make and where it's almost impossible not to be cheated and betrayed. Men, whether Chinese or Western, are seen to be utterly untrustworthy, and, as the very opening sequence suggests, women may decide that the company of other women is a preferable option to a hetero lifestyle."
-- David Stratton (source)

Bibliography for Chinese Chocolate

Articles from Newspapers, Magazines, or News Websites

Brownstein, Bill. "Chinese Chocolate a treat: Toronto film-makers probe culture shock." Interview with Yan Cui, Qi Chang. Montreal Gazette, August 31, 1995.
Gerstel, Judy. "A Chinese window on North American culture: Husband/wife filmmakers look at life through eye of immigrant women." Interview with Yan Cui, Qi Chang. Toronto Star, February 23, 1996.
Stratton, David. "Chinese Chocolate." Review of Chinese Chocolate. Variety, September 11, 1995.