Fat Choi Spirit (2002. A glimpse into Chinese Culture

Throughout film, Mahjong has been a literary device to symbolise the relationship between players on the table. Consider it as the equivalent of chess in western movies.

Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, what Fat Choi Spirit (Dir. Johnnie To, Wai Ka-Fai) shows is Mahjong’s significance in forming our thoughts and opinions of others, a device of judging a person’s character. The basis of Fat Choi Spirit revolves around Andy (Andy Lau) refusing to marry Gigi (Gigi Leung). We soon find out it’s not because a lack of love but because of her bad sportsmanship.

Is it an exaggeration?

Mahjong is a game of intelligence, patience, but also good luck. The aim is to end with 14 tiles – 4 triplets and a pair, and the more sophisticated your pattern is, the greater amount of money/points you’ll gain. The way the tiles are organized makes it difficult to cheat, and whether you can retrieve the right tiles for certain patterns - well, let’s hope you hand doesn’t “smell”, aka. Have bad energy.

The saying of “Good character brings good tiles” is echoed at many points in the film. If you have a good heart, do good deeds, are a good person, naturally your tiles will grant a win. The antiphrasis demonstrating bad tiles and bad sportsmanship is a doorway to showing your bad character.

We are a culture of that believes in superstition. It is assimilated in our habits, actions and our daily life. Can’t bite noodles on your birthday or you’ll get bad luck. No gifting shoes (loss) on someone’s birthday. Don’t open umbrellas indoors. If continually getting bad tiles represents your bad character, then your bad sportsmanship only reinforces that.

While the storyline of Fat Choi Spirit is sometimes incoherent and at times jarring, it is, nonetheless, entertaining to watch. The flamboyant nature of each win, the dramatic turns of events. It does provide a glimpse to the importance of Mahjong in Chinese culture. If anything, I hope it motivates the audience to learn the game!

#hkmovies #hkculture #hkfilm