Eve and the Fire Horse

I saw this at Sundance, and was quite taken with the film. It's about two little Chinese sisters who are confused about what religion to follow. They live in Canada, where there are many cultures represented. They receive mixed messages from their family and from their teachers and religious leaders. This is a gentle film about their struggle to understand the differences. I especially enjoyed the clever portrayal of childish imagination. The younger girl (Eve) is prone to fantastical daydreams, which are seamlessly blended into her real life. All of the actors involved did a great job. The film was colorful and easy to watch, and while not particularly fast paced, the plot moved along at a good pace and never dragged.

what a wonderful show! it's just opened in vancouver, b.c. (the city in which it was filmed) and what a treat to see it.

eve and the fire horse is beautiful, funny, touching, and thoughtful. julie kwan gently and poetically illuminates difficult truths.

affection, death, racism, camaraderie, longing, evangelism across cultural lines and religious fervour are all touched on.

a very enjoyable film whether you are ten or 90. behind me in the theatre sat a family ranging almost that far and the laughter was spread equally across the row.

three thumbs up!

"Eve and the Fire Horse" is a beautifully written film about this 9 years cute girl Eve and her 11 years old sister's struggle with the culture and religion clash as Chinese immigrants living in Vancouver, Canada. Innocent Eve was born in a year of "Fire Horse," which is believed to be bad luck. While she turns in Buddhism in the traditions of her parents to overcome this bad curse, her sister becomes a faithful Christian and tries to turn everybody else into a Jesus's follower. The film is poetic, honesty, provocative, and funny. It gets into the head of Eve looking out this confusing world. After the movie it makes you wonder what the real curse might be to our lives. The wonderful performance of this little girl will capture your heart, if not your soul. This is a great film.

Julia Kwan's "Eve & the Fire Horse" is a sweet, gentle film in which a 9-year-old girl, Eve (Phoebe Kut), recalls her childhood when her sister, Karena (Hollie Lo), introduces her to Catholicism.

It's a typical coming-of-age film with an Asian bent, nonetheless. It's buoyed by two fine performances by Kut and Lo. There's nothing unexpected or unpredictable about it, but it delves into a culture that is alien to most Americans. And it deals very well with the clash of cultures - or, in this case, religions - and the confusion that arises as these young kids try to deal with life.

Writer-director Kwan takes her time to set up her story and then unravel it. We get to know these characters and appreciate their motivations. The humor is nothing outrageous; this is the sort of film that brings a smile to one's face rather than, say, a loud guffaw or two.

What works in the film is the relationship between the two sisters. From the opening scene of them on the wall, we believe these two are not only related, but very close.

There are some fine supporting performances. Vivian Wu is brilliantly understated as the children's mother, and Chit Chan Man Lester brings the right amount of pathos and humor to his role as their father.

One of the film's failings is a rather obvious narration. I'm not averse to voice-over narrations in films such as this. But many of the moments in the narration could have been shown and not told.

"Eve & the Fire Horse" is a pleasant film, one that could've been better, but works nonetheless. Its charm comes from its two young actors who seem so natural that we're drawn into their colorful worlds and imagination. It says a lot about families; it also says a lot about religion. I'm not sure if Kwan endorses proselytizing, but the film does seem to make a statement about the commonality among religions. And that's certainly not a bad thing. It's a sweet, tender film that makes for a nice afternoon at the movies.

This was a charming Canadian film directed by Julia Kwan and featuring Vivian Wu, Hollie Lo, and Karena Eng. It is in English and Cantonese and bridges the cultural gap by showing the superstitions and beliefs of the Catholic religion and Buddhism.

Mom figures that it can't hurt to have both in the same house. Double protection, you know. I can understand that; having been baptized a Catholic as a child and a Baptist as an adult. I have both sides covered, even though I now claim neither. You know, once saved, always saved.

One daughter becomes a Catholic, while the younger one goes along with her, but clings to the Buddhist beliefs. It is funny and touching and will make you think about both religions and how they are similar in their superstitions.

Check it out.