User:FrostFairBlade/sandbox/Rouge (film)

Writing

 * Scriptwriter Chiu Kang-chien interpreted the novel as a love story; Kwan recalled Chiu being adamant that the film "shouldn't be made as a ghost story"
 * In adapting Lee's book, Chiu added scenes set in 1930s Hong Kong, and removed overt references to the 1997 handover

Development and pre-production

 * Terry Tong Gei-ming was originally brought on to direct Rouge; he ended up leaving the project because he felt like it was taking too long for production to start
 * Kwan was working for Golden Harvest as a contracted director

Casting

 * Chiu lobbied for Anita Mui to be cast as Fleur
 * Mui had largely starred in romantic comedies prior to Rouge, and was not considered a good casting choice for the role
 * According to an HK01 report, Cheung was not the first choice to play Chan Chen-pang: Adam Cheng was originally slated to play the role, but did not accept the part because his wife Lydia Shum was pregnant
 * The Hong Kong Economic Times reported other proposed casting choices: modern-day couple Yuen and Chor were to be originally played by Andy Lau and Cherie Chung, respectively
 * According to the Hong Kong Economic Times, Mui recommended her friend Leslie Cheung replace Cheng for the role of Chan
 * However, at the time Cheung was contracted with Cinema City, so Mui offered her acting services to Cinema City for a film in exchange for Cheung to get the part

Filming

 * Parts of the movie were filmed on Hill Road in Shek Tong Tsui, an area historically known as a red-light district, and the place where Fleur and Chan Chen-pang begin their romance

Post-production

 * According to Kwan, Chan fell asleep watching the film, complaining that the story was too boring
 * Kwan mentioned that Chan wanted to re-edit Rouge without telling him, adding in ghost-hunting scenes in an attempt to add more exciting; Kwan replied that he wanted his name taken off of the credits if Chan interfered

Themes
'''Is nostalgia a drug or an antidote? Hong Kong historical nostalgia and identity in Rouge - United Daily News'''