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SARA (雏妓) Movie Review

SARA (雏妓) Movie Review | by tiffanyyong.com

Recommended Audience: Fans of Charlene Choi 蔡卓妍, Simon Yam 任达华, 凌梓維, 柳俊江 movie fans

SARA 雏妓

SARA (雏妓) Movie Synopsis

QSS 34503Journalist Sara has just spent four months completing an in-depth investigation piece. Her editor-in-chief, afraid of offending powerful politicians and business moguls, refuses to run it. Her boyfriend, who works for the same magazine, chooses not to warn her and even sides with the editor-in-chief. In just one moment, she is turned off by her work, her love relationship and even about life.

QSS 35028At this low point in her life, Sara exiles herself to Chiang Mai, Thailand. One evening, while at a bar, she meets child prostitute Dok-my. During her time getting to know Dok-my and through the process of rescuing her, the journalist becomes haunted by the memories of her own past.

QSS 30005杂志记者何玉玲(蔡卓妍饰)花了4个月时间完成一篇关于官商丑闻报道,遭老总以杂志社利益为由抽稿,意兴阑珊的她决定到泰国散心。在清迈一间酒吧,玉玲遇上雏妓Dok-My,千方百计要救Dok-My出火海。
原来Dok-My令玉玲忆起自己过去十多年的成长经历:曾被继父性侵犯、离家出走,继而遇上比她年长30年的甘浩贤(任达华饰)──玉玲愿意被包养以换取学费及栖身之所,与甘浩贤展开长达8年的不道德交易,但在这买与卖之间,二人关系实际上千丝万缕,感情如父女又如情人般扑朔迷离……

SARA (雏妓) Viewer Rating: 4/5 ****

SARA (雏妓) Movie Review:

QSS 30300Most people might be watching this film because of its R ratings or even because of the news that Charlene Choi had sex scenes in this film. If you hoping for another 50 Shades, you might be disappointed. Or else, I was pleasantly surprised by the topic the film touched on and how the issue was addressed.

QSS 32025The film featured three different types of women and how they dealt with life. While Sara’s mum tried to escape from reality and pretend all was well when Sara was raped by the stepfather; she used sex to fight for what she want. Meanwhile, in Thailand, Dok-My (Sunadcha Tadrabiab), the underaged sex worker used sex to trade for the survival of her family…

QSS 34889I find it interesting how the film used chronological flashback to bring out Sara’s childhood story (Although it’s a bit confusing at times), as well as her gradual realisation that she could have been a child sex worker, just like Dok-My. The film is also a reflection of today’s society, how many of us have been “selling” ourselves in exchange or to achieve a certain goal? It might not be sex, but what about our pride, ego or even our integrity?

QSS 32525The relationship between Sara (Charlene Choi) and Gan Hao Xian (Simon Yam) was really interesting. It started off as a way to “secure” his promise, then it became a transaction and then it evolved into a relationship. I was impressed how Simon Yam (who’s pretty experienced in romance and sexual scenes) was able to pull off the role of a straight laced education minister, as well as his inexperience care for Sara. The role of Sara is definitely something very un-Charlene, to be spouting vulgarities when she’s angry and making the advances on guys, I like how she portrayed the character in different stages of her life.

QSS 31046The two roles which I thought was pretty undeveloped (and it was a pity) were Patrick, the guy who had a crush on Sara in university as well as Raymond, Sara’s boyfriend in the news room. If the scriptwriter had given them more screen time or even merge them together as one, it might have been more interesting. There was a particular scene where the guy brought Sara back home when she was drunk and saw her writings on the wall. What happened? There were actually quite a few questions I had in my mind that I hope it would be answered!

QSS 31196This is definitely a film I will recommend for everyone to watch as it has such a debatable topic! I believe each time you watch it (that is if you watch more than once), you will discover something new and different!

Do You Know?

From the Queen to the Chief ExecutiveThe character SARA was inspired by a conversation by the female lead Zhang Yu Ling from the film “From the Queen to the Chief Executive” (等候董建華發落). That one minute scene was a conversation between social worker Yu Ling (same pronunciation as Sara’s Chinese Name) and her mum whom she told how she lived for the past 10 years: She was kept as a mistress, and the guy supported her financially for her studies and then she left him.

Charlene Chois Sex sceneIt’s Charlene Choi’s first time acting such a bold role with two sex scenes. She was so nervous that she requested the producer Chapman To 杜汶泽 to be on set daily. However, after the first day of filming, she was so comfortable with the director that she told him not to turn up anymore as his appearance on set will affect her filming.

macau internation movie festivalBoth Simon Yam and Charlene Choi won the Best Actor/ Actress Award from their roles in “SARA” at the Macau International Movie Festival.

Whispers and MoansSARA is director Herman Yau’s third film to touch on the topic of sex workers. The previous two films were “Whispers and Moans” (性工作者十日谈) in 2007 and “True Women For Sale” (性工作者2我不卖身.我卖子宫) in 2008.

QSS 34483Another name for this film was Que Sera Sera (¿Qué será, será), which means “what will be, will be.” in Spanish. This is something you say when you are stuck in a hopelessly unchangeable situation, but have come to accept, or even embrace the unchangeability of it all. This is similar to the phrase “it is what it is”, an apt title for the situation of underaged prostitution in Thailand (in the film).

Behind The Scenes and Interviews

Check out SARA (雏妓) Facebook Page!
SARA (雏妓) is out in cinemas on 26th March 2015. Special Sneaks out on 20th-22nd March 2015.

xoxo
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*Disclosure: Invitation by Clover Films Singapore. No monetary compensation was received for the movie review.

23 thoughts on “SARA (雏妓) Movie Review”

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  3. I watched this movie recently and watched it several times. Reason why? Because I had similar experience as Sara. The lucky part is, my daddy long-legs becomes my husband and we have a baby. More importantly, we love each other just like Sara and Mr.Kam in the movie. What I have gained in the movie and my real life is we may make without love if it is just one night stand however if you are making out with the same person over so many years how could we have no feelings with him/her? We are all human. It will never always lust, it would transform from “trade” to “love”, someone you would want to share your ups and downs with him/her just like in the movie. Personally, the most touching part was their last quarrel and met up ’cause that explained Kam loves Sara and because of that he wants her to get a life and that was the last thing he did for her. Love her yet let her go for the best though Sara was a little bit too late to understand that.
    Also, the movie addressed the “common” issue. Yes, it seems to be common nowadays which is underaged prostitute issue. My husband told me that his colleague which is a American married a Thai girl that is 34 years younger than him, not good looking type but living a luxury life. Guess that explained in the movie which they know “farangs” can bring them good life since they are young. Nevertheless, not everyone as lucky as my husband’s colleague wife that can married a rich “farang” and having a good life, i.e. Dok-my in the movie.
    Lastly, is the Sara’s mother which is a tragedy for some single mothers to bring up their children by themselves. Some are tough and successful but some would be like Sara’s mother, weak and let their child being abused.
    In summary, I like this movie and would give a 4 out of 5 as some parts which highlighted by Tiffany about Sara’s writings on the wall, her bf (does she really love Raymond?) and the pity Uni-boy.

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  5. I like that the movie features the three different ways women cope with life and problems, in the face of Sara, her mother and the underage girl. The movie gives me food for thought.

  6. I am not comfortable with the poster cover. But well, not everyone has a good life story. This kind of stories is like the Indie films counterpart in our country.

  7. What a fascinating subject and storyline. I will add this to my list of must see movies… Honestly, my list is growing longer by the day Tiffany! 🙂

  8. Tiffany, seems like a great and really educational movie which is worth to see. I might consider to watch it sometime.
    I liked what you said about “selling ourselves” Its true that many many people use unfair tactis in order to accomplish what they want and even lose their dignity.

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