Elixir of Love - To Sniff Or Not To Sniff

August 2005 – Press Release

To Sniff Or Not To Sniff
ELIXIR OF LOVE

Manila, 20 July 2005 – Ever thought of smelling a movie? ELIXIR OF LOVE (premiering Saturday, 13 August at 21:00 on STAR CHINESE MOVIES) is a costume farce about aromatherapy in ancient China. The romantic comedy features Hong Kong’s queen of comedy Miriam Yeung as a princess suffering from SARS (“Severe Atypical Reeking Syndrome”), and Taiwanese pop singer Richie Ren as the aromatherapy expert who attempts to develop a cure and ends up falling in love with a smelly fishmonger (also played by Miriam). How does smelling the reeking princess, as well as the pleasant aromas in this movie sound to you?

Well, as crazy as that sounds, a Japanese electronics giant has patented a device that will alter the normal neural activity in key parts of viewers’ brains, which can evoke different sensations, including tastes, smells, touch, and even moving images.

On one hand, if the prophetic invention works, the new device would force viewers to smell the malodorous princess in ELIXIR OF LOVE. This could be too invasive to many. On the other hand, it would also enable viewers to smell the aromatic fragrances that Ren supposedly cooks up, which might bring a full-spectrum sensory experience to audiences, just as if they were at the scene of the movie itself. And of course, this could also be pure sensationalism and nothing more than a gimmick. Tough call.

But with the device or not, ELIXIR OF LOVE is a pleasure to simply watch. Ren and Yeung are both charming, likeable performers who share good screen chemistry. Situations and character interplay carry the film, meaning viewers get lots of sequences where Ren and Yeung spend quality time in frame together. This is a good thing, especially because the movie’s scenic backdrop is absolutely beautiful. From the costumes to the sets to every inch of greenery that exists in frame, the romantic comedy is washed in bright colours and pretty images for audiences to look at, which already appeals to the senses without added technology.

Director Riley Yip Kam-hung blends an unusual mixture of comedy, romance and political satire in this HK$24 million production, featuring attractive popstars, a tantalising premise, and oodles of feel-good laughs. Apart from being a pleasing and likeable film, Yip also throws in a minor Wong Kar-wai reference to keep demanding audiences happy. The entertaining and beautifully-shot, yet “smelly” slapstick, premieres Saturday, 13 August at 21:00 on STAR CHINESE MOVIES.

Note: The channel does not provide the sensory technology. Please bring your own salty fish and aromatic candles for a full experience.