Chinese Box (1997): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Chinese Box is a 1997 romantic drama directed by Wayne Wang, starring Jeremy Irons as John, Gong Li and Maggie Cheung. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $2.2 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Wayne Wang
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Canal+
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Chinese Box About?
The premise of Chinese Box without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The story of Hong Kong, from New Year’s Day to June 30th, 1997, when the British left their colony and turned it over to the People’s Republic of China.
Chinese Box Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- hong kong
- unrequited love
- video camera
- new year
- love
- chinese
- china
- video
- leukemia
- eccentric friend
- observer
- outcast
+38 more Show fewer
- street people
- fireworks
- making history
- broken promise
- cultural history
- filming
- abuse
- second chance
- business partner
- barmaid
- hallucination
- scarred for life
- scarred face
- photographer
- fake wedding photo
- political change
- expatriate
- regime change
- jealousy
- writer
- voice over narration
- videorecording self
- tryst
- street market
- street hustler
- rally
- prostitute
- politics
- pimp
- photography
- party
- nightclub
- new year's eve
- memory
- letter
- kiss
- journalist
- interview
Chinese Box Cast & Characters
Jeremy Irons leads the cast as John, with Gong Li as Vivian and Maggie Cheung as Jean. Directed by Wayne Wang; 45 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Wayne Wang
-
Jeremy Irons as John - Gong Li as Vivian
-
Maggie Cheung as Jean - Hui Fan as Godfather's wife
Also Starring in Chinese Box
· 41 more- Rubén Blades Jim
- Michael Hui Koon-Man Chang
- Jared Harris William
- Lee Siu-Kay Gangster #1
- Lo Hung Businessman #3
- Maria Cordero Mamasan
- Tony Blair Themselves
- Josie Ho Lilly
- François Chau Mr. Wong
- Emotion Cheung Kam-Ching William Wong
- Bao Fang Godfather
- Samuel Leung Cheuk-Moon
- Andrew Lam Wedding Photographer
- Alex Ng Hong-Ling Drunk Karaoke Singer
- Mike Leeder Partygoer
- Winston Ellis Brian
Show all 45 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ankee Leung Chi-On Gangster #2
- Lee Fai Black Moon Hostess
- Turbo Kong Gangster
- Jian Rui-Chao Businessman #1
- Ralph Lister Principal
- Russell Cawthorne New Year's Party MC
- Shirley Hung Suet-Ying Girlfriend #1
- Bruce Walker Bruce
- James Huang Patron
- Noel Lester Rands John's Friend at New Year's Party
- Chaplin Chang Homeless Man
- Kim Maree Penn
- Tse Yuen-Fat Gangster #3
- Ken Bennett Rick
- Emma Lucia Amanda Everheart
- Harvey Stockwin Weeks
- Jonathan Midgley Jonathan
- Angelica Lofgren Baby-Lin
- Julian Chang Dr. Chang
- Wai Sing-Chau Businessman #2
- Michelle Yeung Girlfriend #2
- Chiu Wah-Lee Minibus Passenger
- Roderick Lee Manhattan Club Bouncer
- Maria St. Lynne Black Moon Hostess
- Gloria Wu News Reporter
More from Wayne Wang
More films directed by Wayne Wang, best-rated first: The Joy Luck Club, Chan Is Missing, Coming Home Again and Smoke.
Chinese Box Plot Summary
What happens in Chinese Box from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The movie unfolds across nine interwoven stories on very different levels.
John, a reporter roaming the streets of Hong Kong, struggles to find moments he believes will give his life tangible meaning, chasing scenes that might justify his work.
Vivian is the second thread, a woman trying to balance life and escape from the underground world she once belonged to. Her attempts are hindered by prejudices that run deep in Chinese society, including in Hong Kong, making her path fraught with obstacles that go beyond personal struggle.
Full summary
The whole story of Chinese Box, scene by scene
Chinese Box Box Office
Chinese Box grossed $2.2 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$2.2M
- US & Canada
- $2.2M
Chinese Box Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Chinese Box.
How Well Do You Know Chinese Box?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the reporter John in the film?
Cars in Chinese Box
13 cars on screen, including the Yamaha VMX 1200 V-Max and the Dennis Dragon.
-
Yamaha VMX 1200 V-Max Minor role -
Dennis Dragon Background role -
1992 Honda Civic Background role -
1985 Isuzu FVR Background role
Chinese Box Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “中國匣” and “La caja china”.
- Also known as
-
- 中國匣
- La caja china
- Китайска кутия
- Az utolsó éjszaka Hong Kong-ban
- 中国匣
- Chińska szkatułka
- Китайская шкатулка
- 차이니즈 박스
- O Último Entardecer
- チャイニーズ・ボックス
- Китайська скринька
- 情人盒子
+1 more Show fewer
- Çin İşi
Seen Chinese Box?
Movies Like Chinese Box
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Comrades, Almost a Love Story, Broken Blossoms and Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.
Chinese Box FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Chinese Box, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Chinese Box?
Chinese Box runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was Chinese Box released?
Chinese Box was released on September 4, 1997.
Who directed Chinese Box?
Chinese Box was directed by Wayne Wang.
More films by Wayne Wang Who is in the cast of Chinese Box?
Chinese Box stars Jeremy Irons as John, Gong Li as Vivian and Maggie Cheung as Jean, among 45 credited actors.
How much did Chinese Box make at the box office?
Chinese Box grossed $2.2 million worldwide.
Does Chinese Box have a post-credit scene?
No. Chinese Box has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
