Back in the days when most major cities had at least one theatre running the current Hong Kong product, the keen movie goers could familiarise themselves with the industry's output as easily as any English language material.

By 1986 the presence of Chow Yun-fat was a flag on any production, after a string of superior efforts - STORY OF WU VIET, HONG KONG 1941, THE POSTMAN STRIKES BACK. I wandered into this one without knowing anything about it and was blown away. 

It is the classic misleading exposition movie, starting like a teen romance, moving into murder mystery and ending as something more thoughtful - a contemplation of isolation.

Director Stanley Kwan later told me that Chow gave a superior performance without understanding the film. The largely unknown cast all register and the shifts of setting from the high fashion city , the trip to Taiwan with the ashes of the victim and the hospital finale are film making of a high class.

Kwan next made the exceptional ROUGE and is still on top of his game, having just turned out EVERLASTING REGRET, after a few less well judged items.

I notice that there are no comments on LOVE UNTO WASTE (not the best chosen title) which is surprising for a film of its quality and importance.

Cantonese cinema from Hong Kong is globally recognized for its action films, martial arts epics, and romantic melodramas. Its innovation in choreography, editing, and atmosphere continues to set new standards for genre filmmaking.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The mystery genre features the investigation and solving of a puzzle, typically a crime or an enigmatic event. Mysteries are known for their suspenseful narratives, intricate plots, and the challenge they present to readers or viewers to piece together clues and solve the central mystery alongside the characters.

Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Chinatown (1974)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

Four young people spend their time living the wild life - until one of them is brutally murdered in a burglary.

Chow Yun-Fat, Chin Tsai, Elaine Jin, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Irene Wan in Love Unto Waste (1986)

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui in Rouge (1987)

Kenny Bee and Joey Wang in My Heart Is That Eternal Rose (1989)

Chow Yun-Fat and Cherie Chung in An Autumn's Tale (1987)

Michelle Yeoh, Derek Tung-Sing Yee, Chindy Lau, and Richard Ng in Dynamite Fighters (1987)

Leslie Cheung, Patricia Ha, Kent Tong, and Cecilia Yip in Nomad (1982)

Carrie Hamilton and Diamond Yukai in Tokyo Pop (1988)

Tony Leung Chiu-wai in Love Unto Waste (1986)

Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Irene Wan in Love Unto Waste (1986)

Love Unto Waste

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