He's a Woman, She's a Man is a 1994 Hong Kong romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Peter Chan and starring Leslie Cheung, Anita Yuen, Carina Lau, Eric Tsang and Jordan Chan. This film was the recipient of many awards at the 14th Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Actress for Yuen and Best Original Song for "Chase" by Cheung. The film was followed by a sequel, Who's the Woman, Who's the Man?, which was released in 1996. The theme song "Chase" (追) appeared on Cheung's 1995 album Most Beloved.
Plot Wing (Anita Yuen) is a sassy girl who deeply idolizes Rose (Carina Lau), a pop singer, and Rose's boyfriend, top record producer and songwriter Sam (Leslie Cheung). Rose has been groomed by Sam, achieving stardom and international acclaim. With her success, Sam decides to try his hand at bringing up a male singer. He decides to announce a country-wide, males-only talent search, much to his former protégée's chagrin.
Wing, desperate to meet her idols, seizes this opportunity and enters the contest disguised as a male. Her childhood friend (Jordan Chan) trains her to perfect this whimsical idea.
As fate would have it, Wing succeeds in the audition thanks to the poor quality of those auditioning and in part to Rose's taunts. Rose challenges Sam to see to the idea of him bringing up a (relatively) talentless Wing.
Wing is later invited to stay at Sam and Rose's home for her musical education. Wing tries unsuccessfully to reconcile the two lovers' difference. Trouble and comedy ensue as she finds herself falling for Sam and vice versa, despite his mistaken belief that she is a man.
Cast
Leslie Cheung as Sam Koo Ka-ming Carina Lau as Rose Anita Yuen as Lam Chi-wing Eric Tsang as Auntie Lawrence Cheng as Charles Chow Chu Law Kar-ying as Joseph Jordan Chan as Yu Lo Jerry Lamb as George Cheung Suet-ling as Alice Clarence Hui as Wing's vocal instructor Nelson Cheung as Face at party (cameo) Patrick Tsui as Paul Joe Cheung as Peter Mantic Yiu as Peter's wife Jacob Cheung as MTV Director Lee Ho-lam as Roger Ng Chin-yan as Busty Lin Matthew Tang as Building security guard Chan Wai-lung as Wing's dance instructor Chen Yong-liang as Audition judge Liu Fung-pinh as Audition judge Irene as Audition judge May Lam as Rose's mahjong friend Julian as Rose's mahjong friend Leung Yiu-hei as Audition contestant #1 Yu Tin-lok as Audition contestant #2 Tsang Ho-yin as Audition contestant #3 Yu Dai-keung as Audition contestant #4 Fung Ka-leung as Audition contestant #5 Tse Pak-chuen as Audition contestant #6 Ng Ming-wai as Audition contestant #7 Lai Wing-yan as Audition contestant #8 Osman Hung as Audition contestant #9 Chu Ka-yiu as Audition contestant #10 Tang Chi-sam as Audition contestant #11 Jason Lee Jones as Audition contestant #12 Jimmy Lee as Audition contestant #13 Chan Chi-ban as Old band member Wong Sek-ning as Old band member Winston Yeh as Old band member Hui Sek-hung as Old band member Cipriano Antonio as Old band member Pete Spurrier as Wine bar patron (uncredited)
Critical reception For Asian Movie Pulse, Dawna Fung writes, "Despite being a comedy, the film actually touches on the daring question of homosexuality, a topic that was still taboo in 1990s Hong Kong. ... Sam does not actually have a crush on a boy, but instead on a girl who is pretending to be a boy."
Awards and nominations Awards and nominations Ceremony Category Recipient Outcome14th Hong Kong Film AwardsBest FilmHe's a Woman, She's a ManBest DirectorPeter ChanBest ScreenplayJames YuenBest ActorLeslie CheungBest ActressAnita YuenBest Supporting ActorJordan ChanBest New PerformerJordan ChanBest Art Direction Chung Man-keiBest Costume & Make Up Design Dora NgBest Original Film ScoreClarence Hui, Chiu Tsang-hei Best Original Film Song Song: "Chase" (追)Composer: Dick LeeLyricist: Lin XiSinger: Leslie Cheung31st Golden Horse Film Awards
See also Cross-dressing in film and television
References
External links IMDb entry HK cinemagic entry