Rice Rhapsody

*Monday, 22nd October 2007*

I've always love gay themed movies (not porn, you pervert) especially those with touchy storyline paired with eye-pleasing cute actors.

Rice Rhapsody, alternatively known as Hainan Chicken Rice (海南雞飯) is a 2004 gay-theme film (combination of homosexuality, family, acceptance and food) directed and written by Kenneth Bi with Sylvia Chang and Martin Yan as main casts. The movie was filmed in Singapore and tells the story of Jen, owner of a successful restaurant with her signature dish, Hainan Chicken Rice.

Jen has three sons, where the eldest and second sons, Daniel and Harry are gay. Fear that her youngest son, Leo might end up following his brothers' footsteps too, Jen and best friend, Kim Chui (Martin Yan, whom is also her business rival) devised a plan to bring in a female French exchange student named Sabine to stay with Jen.

Leo and Jen waiting for Sabine at airport.

However, Jen's plan does not going well as Leo shows little interest in Sabine, while the rivalry between Jen and Kim Chui heated up when Kim Chui invented a new dish and became the talk of the city.

My tears were literally falling during one of the scene; it was clear that Leo was attracted to his schoolmate cum best friend, Batman. When Batman announced that he's leaving Singapore, Jen realises the truth of Leo's sexual preference from his grief-stricken face and slapped him in anger, continuously for 3-4 times. Leo leaves the house and while chasing him, Jen tripped, falls down the stairs and injured her ankle.

Slapping Leo...

Some time later Jen, persuaded by Sabine, attends Harry's birthday party. There she meets many of Harry's gay friends, and she finds them delightful and fun. Another obstacle she must overcome is the news of Daniel's impending gay marriage, she is horrified and cannot accept it. The film ends with Jen finally realising how wonderful her sons are, despite being gay.

"What should I do?"

Awards received:

1. Best New Director (Kenneth Bi, 25th Hong Kong Film Awards)


2. Jury Award for Best Actress (Sylvia Chang, 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival)


3. Platinum Award for Best First Feature (Kenneth Bi, 2005 Worldfest Houston)


4. Top Ten Chinese Language Films of 2005 (Chinese Film Critics Association)


5. Outstanding Screenplay (Kenneth Bi, Taiwan Government Information Office)

*Info courtesy of Wikipedia