A Highly Anticipated Work Created After a Five-Year Ban on Filmmaking Was Lifted

Director Lou Ye, who was banned from filmmaking and exhibition for five years after producing "Summer Palace" in 2006, which dealt with the Tiananmen Square incident, continued to pursue his passion for filmmaking. During this period, he won the Best Screenplay award at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for "Spring Fever," which depicted homosexuality, still a taboo in China.

Even after returning to China and the ban on filmmaking and exhibition was lifted, he has been actively depicting "a heart torn between love and loneliness." The film "Mystery" was produced the year after his 2011 film,Paris, Fragile Bloom"Mystery." Inspired by a story posted on a major Chinese BBS site about a woman suffering from her husband's infidelity, the film was screened as the opening film in the "Un Certain Regard" section at the 65th Cannes Film Festival in 2012. Its unpredictable plot generated significant buzz.

The cast includes Hao Lei, who also appeared in "Summer Palace," as the heroine suffering from her husband's infidelity, and Qin Hao from "Spring Fever" as the husband, both frequent collaborators with Lou Ye. Qi Xi makes her film debut as the husband's mistress.

　　　

Husband, Wife, and Mistress: Their Motives and Circumstances Intertwine

Rujie, living in the capital of Hubei Province in central China, had a seemingly perfect life, blessed with a kind husband Yongchao and a lovely daughter, and their jointly managed company was thriving.

Meanwhile, Sanchi lived modestly with her son as a mistress, harboring a desire to one day become the legal wife. Yongchao drifted through life, maintaining two separate households and families. Their lives, though unconventional, seemed to proceed peacefully.

However, a trivial incident soon began to unravel their carefully constructed lives. The situation became increasingly complex and mired in trouble with the occurrence of a hit-and-run accident involving a female university student. As the motives and circumstances of the three individuals, the investigating detective, and the deceased woman become entangled, what will be the ultimate outcome of the story?

Director Lou Ye sheds light on contemporary Chinese social issues, stating, "Many people in China lead double lives." While retaining his signature sensual and ethereal visual and musical style, he has created a more provocative entertainment piece than ever before.

"Mystery"

Opening January 24 (Saturday) at Shinjuku K's cinema, Shibuya Uplink, and other venues nationwide.

Director & Screenplay│Lou Ye

Starring│Hao Lei, Qin Hao, Qi Xi, Zu Feng, Zhou Yemeng

Distribution│UPLINK

2012 / China, France / 98 min

http://www.uplink.co.jp/nijyuu/