The Black Rose
- -Chan sisters Chan Meiling and Chan Meiyu are respected high class, women in Hong Kong's more upscale neighborhoods. However, they both share an alter-ego called the Black Rose, a notorious cat burglar who dresses in a black leotard, and steals from the rich to give to the poor - taking on a Robin Hood-style mission. Even with their antihero status, the Black Rose has created uneasiness and tension in the high society; therefore, an insurance detective investigates the crimes and tries to unmask the woman behind the cat mask.
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A mysterious lady thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor is striking fear into Hong Kong’s high society.
The enigmatic character is named the Black Rose, for she leaves behind a black rose after each job. Yet unknown to their victims, there are two women behind the working classes’ heroine.
And what’s more, they’re wealthy. The Chan sisters (Nam Hung and Connie Chan Po-chu) make up the Black Rose team, operating from home and running their missions at night.
Audiences meet the Chans as they get caught up in a fraud case – a rich man pretends to lose a jewel ring at a fancy dress party, blames the Black Rose and claims compensation. Insurance investigator Cheung Man-fu (Patrick Tse Yin) is brought onto the case and assists the police in going after the black catsuit-clad ladies.
Following the ladies and their pursuers through a series of delightful twists and turns, Chor Yuen spawned enduring Cantonese cinema icons in The Black Rose.
Working from a lavish mansion, complete with secret passages and aptly named The Rose Garden, the Chans continually outsmart bumbling policemen and, as the final showdown approaches, engage in a battle of the wits with investigator Cheung.
Action figures in with occasional brawls – Lau Kar-leung makes an appearance in one of them – but ultimately its the quick plotting and charming leading ladies that steal the show.
Tim Youngs
Thanks to Far East Film Festival