He's a Woman, She's a Man

He's a Woman, She's a Man is a 1994 Hong Kong romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Peter Chan and starring Leslie Cheung, Anita Yuen, Carina Lau, Eric Tsang and Jordan Chan. This film was the recipient of many awards at the 14th Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Actress for Yuen and Best Original Song for "Chase" by Cheung. The film was followed by a sequel, Who's the Woman, Who's the Man?, which was released in 1996. The theme song "Chase" (追) appeared on Cheung's 1995 album Most Beloved.

He's a Woman, She's a Man
He's a Woman, She's a Man DVD cover
Hanyu PinyinJīn Zhī Yù Yè
JyutpingGam1 Zi1 Juk6 Jip6
Directed byPeter Chan
Screenplay byJames Yuen
Lee Chi-ngai
Ella Chan
Clarence Hui
Jojo Hui
Peter Chan
Yee Chung-Man
Leslie Cheung
Story byClarence Hui
Peter Chan
Produced byPeter Chan
StarringLeslie Cheung
Anita Yuen
Carina Lau
Eric Tsang
Lawrence Cheng
Law Kar-ying
CinematographyHenry Chan
Edited byChan Ki-hop
Music byClarence Hui
Chiu Tsang-hei
Production
company
United Filmmakers Organisation
Distributed byMandarin Films
Release date
  • 23 July 1994 (1994-07-23)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeHK$29,131,628

Plot

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Wing (Anita Yuen) is a sassy girl who deeply idolizes Rose (Carina Lau), a pop singer, and Rose's boyfriend, top record producer and songwriter Sam (Leslie Cheung). Rose has been groomed by Sam, achieving stardom and international acclaim. With her success, Sam decides to try his hand at bringing up a male singer. He decides to announce a country-wide, males-only talent search, much to his former protégée's chagrin.

Wing, desperate to meet her idols, seizes this opportunity and enters the contest disguised as a male. Her childhood friend (Jordan Chan) trains her to perfect this whimsical idea.

As fate would have it, Wing succeeds in the audition thanks to the poor quality of those auditioning and in part to Rose's taunts. Rose challenges Sam to see to the idea of him bringing up a (relatively) talentless Wing.

Wing is later invited to stay at Sam and Rose's home for her musical education. Wing tries unsuccessfully to reconcile the two lovers' difference. Trouble and comedy ensue as she finds herself falling for Sam and vice versa, despite his mistaken belief that she is a man.

Cast

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  • Leslie Cheung as Sam Koo Ka-ming[1]
  • Carina Lau as Rose[1]
  • Anita Yuen as Lam Chi-wing[2]
  • Eric Tsang as Auntie
  • Lawrence Cheng as Charles Chow Chu
  • Law Kar-ying as Joseph
  • Jordan Chan as Yu Lo
  • Jerry Lamb as George
  • Cheung Suet-ling as Alice
  • Clarence Hui as Wing's vocal instructor
  • Nelson Cheung as Face at party (cameo)
  • Patrick Tsui as Paul
  • Joe Cheung as Peter
  • Mantic Yiu as Peter's wife
  • Jacob Cheung as MTV Director
  • Lee Ho-lam as Roger
  • Ng Chin-yan as Busty Lin
  • Matthew Tang as Building security guard
  • Chan Wai-lung as Wing's dance instructor
  • Chen Yong-liang as Audition judge
  • Liu Fung-pinh as Audition judge
  • Irene as Audition judge
  • May Lam as Rose's mahjong friend
  • Julian as Rose's mahjong friend
  • Leung Yiu-hei as Audition contestant #1
  • Yu Tin-lok as Audition contestant #2
  • Tsang Ho-yin as Audition contestant #3
  • Yu Dai-keung as Audition contestant #4
  • Fung Ka-leung as Audition contestant #5
  • Tse Pak-chuen as Audition contestant #6
  • Ng Ming-wai as Audition contestant #7
  • Lai Wing-yan as Audition contestant #8
  • Osman Hung as Audition contestant #9
  • Chu Ka-yiu as Audition contestant #10
  • Tang Chi-sam as Audition contestant #11
  • Jason Lee Jones as Audition contestant #12
  • Jimmy Lee as Audition contestant #13
  • Chan Chi-ban as Old band member
  • Wong Sek-ning as Old band member
  • Winston Yeh as Old band member
  • Hui Sek-hung as Old band member
  • Cipriano Antonio as Old band member
  • Pete Spurrier as Wine bar patron (uncredited)

Awards and nominations

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Awards and nominations
Ceremony Category Recipient Outcome
14th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Film He's a Woman, She's a Man Nominated
Best Director Peter Chan Nominated
Best Screenplay James Yuen Nominated
Best Actor Leslie Cheung Nominated
Best Actress Anita Yuen Won
Best Supporting Actor Jordan Chan Nominated
Best New Performer Jordan Chan Nominated
Best Art Direction Chung Man-kei Nominated
Best Costume & Make Up Design Dora Ng Nominated
Best Original Film Score Clarence Hui, Chiu Tsang-hei Nominated
Best Original Film Song Song: Chase (追)

Composer: Dick Lee
Lyricist: Lin Xi
Singer: Leslie Cheung

Won
31st Golden Horse Film Awards Best Original Film Song Song: Chase (追)

Composer: Dick Lee
Lyricist: Lin Xi
Singer: Leslie Cheung

Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Auto, Hermes (2 April 2021). "HK singer-actor Leslie Cheung remembered on his 18th death anniversary". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  2. ^ Auto, Hermes (13 June 2022). "Anita Yuen's son performs Beyond song in tribute to late singer Wong Ka Kui". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
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