Pei Shih (1972)
A haunting Taiwanese-Hong Kong romantic drama by Patrick Lung Kong, charting a doomed love affair through elliptical flashbacks and quiet emotional devastation.
Pei Shih - Movie Information
- Original Title: 珮詩
- Release Year: 1972
- Directed by: Patrick Lung Kong
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 29, 1972 (Hong Kong)
- Production Companies: Yung Hwa Film Company
- Production Countries: Taiwan, Hong Kong
Pei Shih - Plot
Lung Kong collaborated with accomplished novelist Meng Jun to pen the script for this tale of heartbreak and doomed romance. The mounting despair of two solipsistic characters headed towards an emotionally shattering break-up is depicted through an elliptical series of flashbacks.
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Pei Shih - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Patrick Lung Kong
Main Cast
- Chen Chen
- Ko Chun-Hsiung
- Guan Shan
- Charlie Chin Chiang-Lin
- Patrick Lung Kong
- Wang Lai
- Gigi Wong
- Bonnie Wong Man-Wai
- Wen-hui Huang
Writers
- Chun Meng
- Patrick Lung Kong
Producers
- Goh Eng Wah
Pei Shih - FAQs
What is Pei Shih about?
Pei Shih follows two emotionally isolated lovers as their relationship unravels toward an inevitable, heartbreaking end. Director Patrick Lung Kong and novelist Meng Jun tell the story through a fragmented series of flashbacks, building a portrait of mounting despair and the quiet devastation of a romance that was never meant to last.
Why does the film use flashbacks to tell its story?
The elliptical flashback structure mirrors the psychological state of the characters themselves — self-absorbed, haunted by memory, and unable to move forward. It's a deliberate formal choice by Patrick Lung Kong that transforms a breakup story into something closer to an emotional excavation, giving the film its distinctive melancholic texture.
Who directed Pei Shih and what is his style?
Patrick Lung Kong directed Pei Shih, and he's one of the most distinctive voices in Hong Kong and Taiwanese cinema of the 1970s. Known for socially conscious, emotionally raw filmmaking, Lung Kong brought a literary sensibility to the screen — here collaborating with acclaimed novelist Meng Jun to craft a story of unusual psychological depth.
Who are the main actors in Pei Shih?
The cast features Chen Chen and Ko Chun-Hsiung in the central roles, supported by Guan Shan, Charlie Chin Chiang-Lin, Wang Lai, Gigi Wong, Bonnie Wong Man-Wai, and Wen-hui Huang. Director Patrick Lung Kong also appears on screen, adding another layer of personal investment to the project.
Is Pei Shih based on a novel or original story?
The screenplay was co-written by Patrick Lung Kong and celebrated novelist Meng Jun, making it a genuine literary collaboration rather than a straightforward adaptation. The script draws on Meng Jun's narrative sensibility to give the doomed romance its literary weight and emotional precision.
Where can I watch Pei Shih online?
Streaming availability for Pei Shih varies by region. You can check current viewing options — including any rental or subscription platforms carrying the film — on JustWatch, which tracks real-time availability across multiple streaming services in your country.
What films are similar to Pei Shih?
If Pei Shih resonates with you, consider exploring Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 2046, and Taipei Story — all films that share its preoccupation with fractured memory, lost love, and emotional aftermath. Wong Kar-wai's 2046 in particular feels like a spiritual cousin in its mood and structure.
When and where was Pei Shih first released?
Pei Shih had its theatrical release on March 29, 1972, in Hong Kong. A co-production between Taiwan and Hong Kong, the film was produced by Yung Hwa Film Company and shot in Mandarin, reflecting the cross-regional creative partnerships common in Chinese-language cinema of that era.
More About Pei Shih
Explore further details about Pei Shih on these authoritative film databases.