The Foliage (Chinese: 美人草; pinyin: Meǐrén Cǎo), 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.[1] It tells the love story of sent-down youth Liu Simeng and Ye Xingyu. The film premiered in China in 2003.

The Foliage
Traditional	美人草
Simplified	美人草
Mandarin	Meǐrén Cǎo
Directed by	Lü Yue
Written by	Huang Jingjing Frank Shi Wu Yin
Based on	Frank Shi - My First Love
Produced by	Liu Jing Joe Ma
Starring	Liu Ye Shu Qi Fang Bin Qi Huan
Cinematography	Yao Jianyun Pan Dawei Xie Ze
Edited by	Zhai Ru
Production companies	Beijing 21 Century Bona Film Eastern Dragon Film Wenzhou Teleplay Product Center Xi'an Meiya Cultural Communication
Distributed by	Bona Film Group Mei Ah Entertainment
Release date	2003 (2003)
Running time	99 minutes
Country	China
Language	Mandarin

Plot

On her way back from a family visit, young female intellectual Xing-Yu (Shu Qi) meets the equally young and rebellious Si-Mong (Liu Hua) 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.[1]

This film was shot in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan.[1]

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.[2][3]

Accolades

References

External links

• The Foliage at Douban (in Chinese)
• The Foliage (film) at Mtime.com (in Chinese)