Hsu Ming Movies
Hou Hsiao-hsien (Goodbye South, Goodbye) directed this Taiwanese-Japanese period drama set in the British section brothels of 19th-century Shanghai. Chu Tien-wen's screenplay was adapted from Han Ziyun's 1894 novel Haishang Huia Liezhuang (Biographies of Flowers of Shanghai), translated from the original dialect to Mandarin during the '30s by Shanghai writer Eileen Chang. Around 1884, during the closing years of Imperial China, Crimson (Japanese actress Michiko Hada) worries that she's about to be dropped by civil servant Wang (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), since he's spending so much time with Jasmin (Wei Hsiao-hui). Emotions escalate when word arrives that Wang will relocate to another post in the Canton province. Shown in competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Michiko Hada, (more)
- 1988
In this drama, the harsh treatment of women in Chinese society is examined and subtly commented upon as it tells the tale of an impoverished woman living in Shanghai, circa 1910 who tries to support her brother and sister-in-law. A marriage to a wealthy man is arranged for her, and reluctantly she endures it, even though she does not love the man who is as cruel as he is wealthy. His mother is also brutally unkind to her. She then has a son, but her struggles are not over when her husband dies and only leaves her a modest inheritance. Her wretched life has made her bitter, and so she begins making her son suffer as she die; she also becomes addicted to opium. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hsia Wen-shi, Hsu Ming, (more)
- 1986
While distant shots of sexual encounters made this melodrama scandalous upon its release in its native Taiwan, most Western audiences would find few scenes seriously objectionable in this story about a woman's extramarital affair. Li Ling (Sue Ming-ming) is unhappily married to a man who pays little attention to her. When he leaves on a trip, she is sorely tried by temptation. Her husband's best friend makes clear and explicit advances in her direction. Agonizing over which course of action to take, she finally opts for the affair -- and all the trouble that a clandestine relationship can bring. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chang Kuo-Shu
- 1983
Two estranged friends reunite and end up reminiscing, dreaming, and sharing their deepest secrets in this Taiwanese drama. One of the friends is a successful concert pianist just back from a European tour. The other is a divorcee who has just started a new business. The two haven't seen each other for over 13 years. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvia Chang, Terry Hu, (more)
