The Foliage (film)

The Foliage, also known as Years Without Epidemic, is a 2003 Chinese romance film directed by Lü Yue and stars Liu Ye, Shu Qi, Fang Bin, and Qi Huan. The film is an adaptation of Chinese-American writer Frank Shi's novel My First Love. It tells the love story of sent-down youth Liu Simeng and Ye Xingyu. The film premiered in China in 2003.

Plot
On her way back from a family visit, young female intellectual Xing-Yu meets the equally young and rebellious Si-Mong and the two fall in love. When Xing-Yu's childhood friend and lover Yuan gets into a fight with Si-Mong, Xing-Yu tries to make peace between the two jealous rivals. Her attempts for truce further draw her into a forbidden and passionate relationship instead.

Cast

 * Liu Ye as Liu Simeng, a sent-down youth who falls in love with Ye Xingyu.
 * Shu Qi as Ye Xingyu, Yuan Dingguo's girlfriend, when she meet Liu Simeng, they fall in love. She is in a love triangle with Yuan Dingguo and Liu Simeng.
 * Fang Bin as Yuan Dingguo, Ye Xingyu's boyfriend.
 * Qi Huan as Wei Hong
 * Li Mengnan as Manager Wu
 * Zhang Jing as Lian Yun
 * Li Chengyuan as the Company Commander
 * Liu Yiwei as Master Cui
 * Chen Chuang as Lin Shan
 * He Yunqing as Supply Chief
 * Fu Xiaoyuan as the Political Instructor
 * Xi Yang as Shaman
 * He Qichao as Goupi (child)
 * Cui Jun as Goupi (grown)
 * Zhang Shimin as Yuan Xiaoyu (child)
 * Li Lucen as Yuan Xiaoyu (grown)
 * Zhu Kaige as the Library Curator
 * Yao Jianyun as the Bus Driver
 * Deng Wei as the Posseman
 * Lei Yongda as the Posseman
 * Hu Yousheng as Manager Hu

Production
Lü Yue, an Oscar Prize nominee, The Foliage was his second film since he is a photographer turned director.

This film was shot in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan.

Shu Qi plays a village girl in a love triangle with Liu Ye and Fang Bin's characters.

Principal photography started in July 2003 and wrapped in September 2003.