PING PONG

UK, 1987, 100 minutes, Colour.
David Yip, Lucy Sheen, Robert Lee.
Directed Po- Chih Leong.


An English film made by Chinese about the Chinese community in London. The director himself, of Chinese origin, was actually born in the UK in 1939.

The film portrays a family, their becoming English, the conflicts with cultural origins. There is some similarity with Soursweet which covered some of the same material with a thriller setting.

The patriarch dies and a young solicitor, Chinese but British, but speaking no Chinese, is asked to administer the will, interacts with the family and friends.

There is a lot of humour, some excellently drawn characters and a nice twist at the end. In fact, this is a pleasing and sympathetic look at cross cultural experience.

1. The title? A game? Chinese background?

2. The director, Chinese, British background?

3. London, Chinatown, the Chinese enclave, restaurants, family life? The lawyer, entering into this world? The flavour of China, London, culture, identity?

4. The locations, the feel of Chinatown? The musical score?

5. The restaurant, everybody involved, the clientele, locals, Chinese, tourists? Sam Wong, his death, the phone booth? The consequences of his death, the will?

6. The invitation to Elaine, the favour to the family, her skill with the law, the touch of the warrior, the nature of the will, probate, her investigations?

7. The various members of the family, Sam’s wife, daughter, son-in-law, the two sons, the cook – and the variety of characters, the beneficiaries, the conditions? Sam and his work, the restaurant, the will and disagreements?

8. Mike’s son, working with Elaine, his character? The research into the family, into the beneficiaries, various secrets, the difference between the generations, Chinese life?

9. The old man, illegally in Britain, over the roofs, the conditions for his benefits?

10. The gradual exploration of the families, the personalities – and the twists?

11. The Chinese in the United Kingdom, their culture, cultural identity, the mix of China and Britain?

12. Interesting family stories – with more than a touch of humour? Secrets and result resolving issues?