Film Forum will present the US theatrical premiere of Ann Hui’s JULY RHAPSODY (2002), opening on Friday, July 19 in a new 4K restoration. 

Hong Kong cinema pioneer Ann Hui (BOAT PEOPLE, A SIMPLE LIFE) upends conventional expectations of romance and passion while plumbing the possibilities of storytelling, poetry, and love in all its forms in this delicate, sensual family drama. A middle-aged teacher of classical Chinese literature (Jacky Cheung) contends with a troubled, talented student (Karena Lam), his wife’s (Anita Mui, in her final role) muddied past, and the weight of roads taken and not taken. 

JULY RHAPSODY, starring two legends of the Cantopop music scene (Cheung & Mui), with a screenplay by acclaimed screenwriter Ivy Ho (COMRADES: ALMOST A LOVE STORY), and cinematography by Kwan Pun-leung (Stanley Kwan’s HOLD YOU TIGHT, Wong Kar-wai’s 2046), was made in 2002 but never released in the US. The film won three awards at the prestigious Golden Horse Film Festival and Hong Kong Film Awards respectively. Hui’s films have been shown and celebrated at such international film festivals as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.