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Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

author:Bluestone Films

Gangster movies are an important branch of Hong Kong film and television.

This genre, which emerged in the eighties of the last century, can not only share major awards with literary films, but also have a wider audience than literary and artistic films with high and low songs.

The element of "gangster" has always existed in various popular movies and televisions.

It is the "bandit" in police and gangster films, the "male" in hero films, and the "gun" in gun battle films.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

In general, gangster films are "the open and dark battles of men in the rivers and lakes".

And women in gangster films, it seems that they are only victims of the shadow of the sword, only responsible for beauty, with very little pen and ink.

But there is a category of women who are not necessarily the same, and they are played differently by Hong Kong movies

They are on an equal footing with the gangster brothers and share power.

There are even some who can counter-kill "big brothers", and the means are jealous.

They are the women of the eldest brother, which we call "sisters-in-law".

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

In the change of gangster films in Hong Kong, the "sisters-in-law" are also ups and downs in the change, working with men in gangster Vanity Fair and intriguing with men.

The dark tide they set off has also formed a different embodiment of gangster films at each stage.

It not only achieves the unique "sister-in-law landscape" in gangster films, but also the unique "sexiness" of gangster films, which is the shrewdness of Hong Kong movies.

Next, we also select a few typical "sisters-in-law" representatives and analyze how they wandered among a group of men and left a strong mark in gangster films.

01. Maturity period

Representative character: Ye Ding Yao (played by Qiu Shuzhen)

Feminine and ambitious, the woman of the big brother also wants to be the "big brother"

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Beautiful and vicious femme fatale.

Ye is the positioning of Ding Yao, played by Qiu Shuzhen, in "Ancient Puzzle Boy: The Raptor Crossing the River".

In "Ancient Puzzle Boy", she is not a simple vase character, but a villain with ambition and wisdom.

In the first half of the movie, she is the mistress of the big brother of the triptych gang, meek and weak, acting naïve and charming.

The boss of the Sanlian Gang is Lei Gong, and when Lei Gong visited the grave of his deceased wife, Ding Yao officially appeared.

She walked in a Japanese bun and with flowers in her hand, and her beautiful appearance fascinated Brother Shanji.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

After that, Ding Yao took the pheasant to the casino, where she also laid a foreshadowing for the subsequent rebellion.

Ding Yao has been losing money in the casino, and the mountain chicken intends to dissuade her.

But she said lightly:

"I don't like losing money, but I like the feeling of life and death between winning and losing."
Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

It can be seen that her courage to swim between life and death for power has begun to appear.

At the same time, Ding Yao will disguise his image in a "show of weakness".

She said to the pheasant:

"I am the eldest brother's woman, but he is no longer interested in women, and the only thing that can make him excited is power."
Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

In this way, he shows his bitterness and helplessness.

When alone with the pheasant in the hot spring, she shows her admiration for the pheasant and tells her tragic life.

The relationship between the two went further.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Later, the pheasant and Lei Gong completely fell out.

When the pheasant and Chen Haonan were at the bar, Ding Yao appeared unexpectedly again, she came to ask the pheasant to make peace with Lei Gong.

As a result, the mountain chicken took off her sunglasses and saw the injury on Ding Yao's face, thinking that she was beaten by Lei Gong, and she was distressed and angry.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

So naturally, the mountain chicken ran to Lei Gong's house and found that Lei Gong had been killed.

Ding Yao shouted for help, and blamed the mountain chicken for killing Lei Gong, and became the new leader of the Sanlian Gang.

At this point, Ding Yao's image was greatly reversed.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

She is no longer weak and innocent, but shows a cold and ambitious side.

After crossing the river and tearing down the bridge, killing Gao Jie, the bodyguard who helped her ascend to the throne, and using her beauty to lure Dafei, hoping to enrich her strength with the help of Dafei's power.

Everything Ding Yao did was to consolidate his position.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Although after this, Ding Yao was betrayed by her ally Dafei, Gao Jie, the bodyguard rescued by Dafei, also came out to accuse her of her crimes in public.

In the end, Ding Yao's life ended at the hands of the mountain chicken.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Although her ultimate fate is still to die under male oppression.

However, Ding Yao, as a charismatic rebel, is also a well-known "sister-in-law" role in gangster movies.

Toughness, forbearance, external softness and inner toughness, both beautiful and evil.

Ding Yao is a representative character in "Ancient Puzzle Boy".

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

In 1996, it was called the "Year of the Ancient Puzzle Boy" of Hong Kong films.

Because in this year, a lot of movies with the theme of ancient puzzles have emerged in the Hong Kong film and television circle.

Compared with previous gangster hero films and thug films, the theme of the ancient puzzle boy is more civilian and market-oriented, and the struggle and love and hatred of the underworld at the bottom are the mainstream of such themed movies.

The "Ancient Puzzle Boy" series starring Ekin Cheng is the beginning of the frenzy of gangster movies with the theme of "Ancient Puzzle Boy".

This is almost the most mature and decadent period of gangster film evolution.

Chaotic to the extreme, crazy to the apex.

Darkness, turmoil, everyone has ambition.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

It is in this context that a character like "Ding Yao" came into being.

If you can't become the only "sister-in-law", you become the only "big brother".

Ding Yao thought ahead step by step, and although the final result was still a failure, she made the deepest impression.

Just like this arrogant to the extreme "ancient puzzle boy":

Come, bloom, and do not regret.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

02. Transition period

Representative person: Rou· Daisy (played by Kwan Xiumei)

"A necessary woman for the gangster big brother"

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Guan Xiumei has played the woman of the eldest brother in many gangster films.

But what impressed me the most was Daisy, the dragon sister-in-law who starred in "The Dragon is on the Edge".

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

The story is mainly about the flying dragon played by Andy Lau, who decided to semi-retire after becoming the underworld big brother.

But because his brother Leopard Brother was betrayed by a traitor and paralyzed in bed, he was once again involved in the story of the underworld.

And Daisy, played by Guan Xiumei, as a woman with a big brother, can be said to be a perfect existence.

She is not a "powerful" sister-in-law, but a "virtuous" sister-in-law who can come out of the hall and the kitchen and wholeheartedly assist her husband.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Dasiy's ability is actually very strong, and in front of her subordinates, she is almost another "big brother" like existence.

When her mother-in-law received a red envelope containing Hades coins at her birthday banquet, and she was peeked at by her younger brother, she ordered her subordinates not to speak up and not to tell her eldest brother.

When the opponent came to the door to provoke the mother-in-law to drink, give the wyvern a son.

Daisy immediately stood up to block the wine, finished a glass proudly, and temporarily suppressed the storm.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Because Daisy knew that the wyvern at this time wanted to "retreat", he couldn't use any excuse to "make trouble".

But when it came time to strike, Daisy was also very decisive.

When he learned that the dragon had been kidnapped and slandered and killed, Daisy did not panic.

The first few seconds were still playing mahjong happily, and then he picked up a knife and began to cut people.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

She led people out of the siege, and the force was worth the meter.

In the absence of the wyvern and the kidnapping of her mother-in-law and her son, Daisy is still able to calm down and judge the current situation and make the most correct judgment.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Brother Leopard's son seized power and usurped the throne, and also took the company of Flying Dragon for himself, and even had a non-dividing idea of his sister-in-law Daisy.

And Daisy was not afraid at all, broke into the company, and instantly controlled Brother Leopard's son and turned the situation around.

It can be said that Daisy, the sister-in-law, is bold and courageous.

However, although she is powerful, she has no ambition.

In the end, he was killed by mistake on the way to save the wyvern.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Beauty and wisdom coexist, but Lisu Double A is a "little woman" who is tender like water.

This is a very typical "gangster big brother essential woman".

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

The role of Daisy can be regarded as a microcosm of the situation of gangster films in Hong Kong at that time.

"Gangsters" tossed and turned in various films and televisions in this element, until the peak of the "Ancient Puzzle Boy" period.

But since the return of Hong Kong in 97, gangster-themed movies have been in a more awkward position.

Gangster movies have reached maturity, but at the same time they are about to wither.

At this time, the gangster film is in a transitional period of "reflection", and the dashing "big brother" has a family, shoulders responsibilities, and can no longer fight and kill willfully.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

But there are still many young people on the rivers and lakes who are looking forward to it, hoping that the eldest brother will come out of the rivers and lakes again.

Just like Daisy, beautiful and strong, it attracts many people.

But she was in self-restraint and did not want to step into that world again.

Once you re-intervene and regain your strength, the end is death.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

To sum up a sentence Andy Lau said in the film, it is:

"The underworld is not a simple virus, once infected with it, it will follow you for a lifetime, it may attack at any time, and it cannot be cured at all."

So "The Dragon on the Edge" is actually not a pure gangster movie, but more like a warning educational film.

Gangster films at this time are like this, oscillating between "wild" and "convergence".

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine
Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

03. Result period

Representative person: Chun· Mary (played by Carina Lau)

"The most 'dignified' mistress of the big guy"

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

In the "Infernal Affairs" series, the most refreshing female character is Mary played by Carina Lau.

As the mistress of the big guy, she is not a flirtatious woman, but remains elegant and dignified all day.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Mary is a woman with strong abilities, who kills without mercy, courage and strategy.

Not only can he secretly assist the police to get rid of the bigwigs for her husband, but also have a clear understanding of the situation in the underworld.

But it is such a powerful woman, but she is willing to be a small woman of the big guy.

As she says in the film:

"I'm a very simple woman, as long as the man is good, I can do anything."
Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Mary can be described as heartfelt to the big guy Han Chen.

Even if he is hunted down, Han Chen may have been eliminated, and his situation is precarious, and he may be killed at any time.

But in the face of her younger brother Liu Jianming's confession and protection, she was not moved, but slapped the other party several times.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Her final game was betrayed by Liu Jianming on the way to Thailand to save Han Chen, and finally died under the car.

In fact, Mary is so smart, she must be able to guess her end, but she is still generous to death.

It is amazing that Mary's pure affection, but it is probably also Mary's deep affection that is puzzling.

Why is she stronger than the big guy, but she is willing to sacrifice for the big guy?

She is like a tiger with its teeth removed, although she is majestic, but she has lost her aggression.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

This is closely related to the film and television environment at that time.

At that time, the Hong Kong film market was sluggish, and movies with the theme of ancient puzzle boy were countered because of the frenzy of ancient puzzle boy, and there were anti-ancient puzzle boy cries everywhere.

In this case, the gangster films of the new era no longer focus on righteousness and fighting and killing, but turn to thinking about human nature.

The "Infernal Affairs" series of movies is full of entanglement between reincarnation and fate.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

So when I watch "Infernal Affairs", I will feel a little stuffy, and I feel a little stunned after watching it.

In fact, this series is strictly a police and gangster film, but "Infernal Affairs 2" was accidentally made into a gangster epic movie.

The line "Come out to mix, sooner or later you have to pay it back" runs through the film.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Mary sent Liu Jianming to kill Han Chen's boss Ni Kun, but eventually died of Liu Jianming's anti-water and died due to the Ni family's revenge.

Betrayers, who eventually die of betrayal.

The "Infernal Affairs" series broke the box office record of Hong Kong films at that time and became the salvation of Hong Kong films.

At the same time, the gangster film in this stage completed the copying of the complex struggle of the gangster.

He also stands on the shoulders of the underworld and overlooks the whole process of historical changes.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

04. Withering period

Representative character: Ru Sujie (played by Tian Niu)

"The most domineering sister-in-law"

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

The movie "Capture the Marshal" released in 2008 starring Sammo Hung, Ren Dahua, Wu Jing and others.

The film tells the process of the collapse of the gang "loyalty" under the double blow of external attacks and gang internal fighting.

And Tian Niu plays the wife of the eldest brother Lian Haolong (Sammo Hung) in the movie.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

The aura of Sister Su in the film is very strong, and you will even feel that this is not a sister-in-law, but a big brother.

The eldest brother laid out the full moon wine for the son of the mistress, and Sister Su, as the "main room", behaved generously at the wine banquet.

Even, she took out a necklace worth three million and put it on the mistress with her own hands.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Of course, there is also a reason why Sister Su looks like no mustard:

First, because she had many abortions when she was young, she had lost her fertility;

The second is that she holds the gang's capital account and has confidence.

Sister Su, who has been immersed in the underworld for many years, has not changed her face in the face of murderous scenes, not to mention that it is just the full moon wine of the mistress.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

But that's just her superficial feedback.

In fact, Sister Su felt the threat to her status by the mistress, and cooperated with her husband's younger brother Lian Haodong (played by Ren Dahua) to embezzle a large amount of property.

In her opinion, the relationship with her husband for many years is far less useful than the money in her hands.

When she was threatened by the wife of a subordinate, the embezzlement of property may be revealed, and Sister Su remained unmoved on the surface.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

But she used a trick to "kill with a knife".

She induced step by step, making her husband feel that the subordinates in the prison might betray him, so he sent someone to the police station to kill him.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

And the subordinate's wife was also killed by her and Lian Haodong.

Compared with the previous "sisters-in-law", Sister Su played by Tian Niu does not have so much affection for her husband.

This is a figure who puts egoism first.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Everything she does is driven by profit.

Of course, Sister Su's ending was still a failure, she didn't get what she wanted, and she confided in the end, but the eldest brother didn't kill her.

Sister Su eventually died in prison and was assassinated.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

There are many discussions about the story pattern and logic of "The Commander".

Some people think that this is a bad film full of big names, but some people think that this film has a very underworld feeling.

However, regarding the discussion of "Sister Su", netizens unanimously believe that among the "sisters-in-law" who have not become "big brother", she is the most like "big brother".

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

Gangster films have developed to the end in this period, and there is no sad ending.

"Sister Su" is a representative example.

She no longer has to carry the burden of "self-examination", but only follows her original intention to expand her infinitely expanding ambitions.

It is as if the "underworld" group made a final look back and became a kind of "return to the light".

Although dashing and wanton, the previously intricate conflicts of interest will also fully break out at this time, and eventually everything will fall apart.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

The withering of gangster movies is a predictable end in this era.

"Those who follow the destiny of heaven are sad, and those who oppose the destiny of heaven die" is the purpose of "Capture the Marshal".

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

The same seems to be true of gangster movies.

This genre has risen to fallen in Hong Kong for only more than 30 years.

And the "sisters-in-law" who are in it have become the epitome of the changes of gangster movies year by year.

Attachment, decoration, marginalization, are the keywords of women in gangster films.

But the "sisters-in-law" have single-handedly created their own stage in the rivers and lakes of men, forming a unique "sister-in-law landscape".

The significance of their existence is not only a question about the development of gangster films, but also a record of the changes in gangster-themed film and television.

Look at the 4 kinds of "sisters-in-law" in Hong Kong films, Qiu Shuzhen's wild, Guan Xiumei's softness, and the shooting is too fine

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