Song of the Exile (1990): Cast & Plot
Song of the Exile is a 1990 drama directed by Ann Hui, starring Maggie Cheung as Cheung Hueyin, Lu Hsiao-Fen and Waise Lee Chi-Hung. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
What Is Song of the Exile About?
The premise of Song of the Exile without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in the early 1970s, the film follows a Chinese‑Japanese student who returns to Hong Kong after completing her studies at a university in London. Back home she confronts a growing rift with her family, especially her mother, as cultural expectations, generational differences and questions of identity spark intense conflict.
Song of the Exile Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- title directed by female
Song of the Exile Cast & Characters
Maggie Cheung leads the cast as Cheung Hueyin, with Lu Hsiao-Fen as Aiko and Waise Lee Chi-Hung as Mr. Cheung. Directed by Ann Hui; 9 actors are credited in all.
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Director Ann Hui
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Maggie Cheung as Cheung Hueyin - Lu Hsiao-Fen as Aiko
- Waise Lee Chi-Hung as Mr. Cheung
- Tien Feng as Hueyin's Grandfather
Also Starring in Song of the Exile
· 5 more- Hsiao Hsiang Hueyin's Grandmother
- Chung Siu-Kwong Xiao Hui
- Tan Lang Jachi Tian Aiko's Brother
- Tinlan Yang Little Hueyin
- Quinzi Yinjian Aiko's Brother's Wife
More from Ann Hui
More films directed by Ann Hui, best-rated first: Our Time Will Come, A Simple Life, Love After Love and The Golden Era.
Song of the Exile Plot Summary
What happens in Song of the Exile from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Cheung Hueyin, Maggie Cheung, is abroad in London in 1973, studying media and chasing a dream of a career in television. After her graduation, she discovers that, unlike her white roommates, she has been denied a BBC interview, a setback that pushes her to confront what she wants from work and from life. A letter from her mother pulls her back to Hong Kong for her younger sister’s wedding, setting the stage for a deeper look at family, heritage, and the choices that shape a woman’s path. The tensions between Hueyin and her mother, Aiko, Lu Hsiao-Fen, who is Japanese, run through the film like a quiet undercurrent.
Full summary
The whole story of Song of the Exile, scene by scene
Song of the Exile Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Song of the Exile.
How Well Do You Know Song of the Exile?
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
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In what year was *Song of the Exile* released?
Song of the Exile Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Ke tu qiu hen” and “장만옥의 객도추한”.
- Also known as
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- Ke tu qiu hen
- 장만옥의 객도추한
- Canción del exilio
- Le Chant de l'exil
Seen Song of the Exile?
Movies Like Song of the Exile
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Home Song Stories, Hong Kong, Hong Kong and After This Our Exile.
Song of the Exile FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Song of the Exile, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Song of the Exile?
Song of the Exile runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Song of the Exile released?
Song of the Exile was released on April 27, 1990.
Who directed Song of the Exile?
Song of the Exile was directed by Ann Hui.
More films by Ann Hui Who is in the cast of Song of the Exile?
Song of the Exile stars Maggie Cheung as Cheung Hueyin, Lu Hsiao-Fen as Aiko and Waise Lee Chi-Hung as Mr. Cheung, among 9 credited actors.
Does Song of the Exile have a post-credit scene?
No. Song of the Exile has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Song of the Exile in?
The original language of Song of the Exile is Cantonese.
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