Rent Life Is Cheap...But Toilet Paper Is Expensive (1989)
3.1 of 5 from 45 ratings
1h 25min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Exploding a seemingly simple premise - a nameless "cowboy" courier (Spencer Nakasako) arrives in pre-handover Hong Kong to deliver a mysterious briefcase to a mercurial Mob boss whilst becoming entangled with his femme fatale mistress (Cora Miao) - independent filmmaking legend Wayne Wang's 'Life is Cheap...But Toilet Paper is Expensive' barrels through inspired genre deconstruction, guerrilla docu-fiction and fierce political jeremiad, all with a keen sense of humor and deeply rich visual palette. Tracking the Man with No Name's increasingly byzantine mission across every level of the city's social strata, we're introduced to fortune families, cabdriverss, hustlers, butchers and more, each punctuating the high-octane Neo-noir narrative with instantly memorable monologues that capture a now - distant era in Hong Kong history. Multifaceted but never incoherent 'Life is Cheap...But Toilet Paper is Expensive' is among Wang's most unique and bracing contributions to the independent film cannon. Much-loved on the international film festival circuit but unjustly overlooked in North America, this is a maverick tour de force ripe for rediscovery. - Actors:
- Wan Kin Cheng, John Chan, Kwan-Min Cheng, Allen Fong, Rocky Wing Cheung Ho, Cinda Hui, Gary Kong, Chung Lin, Lieh Lo, Wei Lo, Cora Miao, Spencer Nakasako, Bonnie Ngai, Victor Wong, Wu Kin Man, Chien Yu, Kai-Bong Chau
- Directors:
- Wayne Wang, Spencer Nakasako
- Producers:
- Winnie Mokri
- Narrated By:
- Dennis Dun
- Writers:
- Spencer Nakasako, Amir Mokri, Wayne Wang, Koon-Chung Chan, Tony Rayns
- Aka:
- Life Is Cheap: But Toilet Paper Is Expensive
- Genres:
- Comedy, Drama
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 21/07/2025
- Run Time:
- 85 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.66:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- New video interview with Wayne Wang
- New video interview with Wayne Wang and co-writer / co-director Spencer Nakasako
- Original full length chase sequence
- U.S. Theatrical Trailer
