Rouge (film)

Rouge is a 1987 Hong Kong romantic drama film directed by Stanley Kwan, starring Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung. Set in 1930s Hong Kong, it tells the tragic love story of Fleur (Anita Mui), a courtesan, and Chan Chen-Pang (Leslie Cheung), the son of a wealthy family.

Fleur and Chan Chen-Pang make a pact to commit suicide together so that their love may continue in the afterlife. However, when Fleur awakens 50 years later in 1980s Hong Kong, she finds that Chan Chen-Pang did not follow through with their pact. She enlists the help of a modern-day couple, Yuen (Alex Man) and Chor (Emily Chu), to search for him.

The film explores themes of love, loyalty, societal class differences, and the passage of time. Rouge is known for its evocative atmosphere, beautiful cinematography, and the performances of its lead actors. It is considered a classic of Hong Kong cinema and has won numerous awards, including Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards. The film's dual timelines provide a poignant contrast between the romanticized past and the stark reality of the present.