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Flowers of Shanghai

Flowers of Shanghai

19986.91h 53m

Overview

At the end of the 19th century, Shanghai is divided into several foreign concessions. In the British concession, a number of luxurious “flower houses” are reserved for the male elite of the city. Since Chinese dignitaries are not allowed to frequent brothels, these establishments are the only ones that these men can visit. They form a self-contained world, with its own rites, traditions and even its own language. The men don’t only visit the houses to frequent the courtesans but also to dine, smoke opium, play mahjong and relax. The women working there are known as the “flowers of Shanghai”.

Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien
Written by Bangqing Han, Chu Tien-Wen, Eileen Chang
Produced by Yang Teng-Kuei, Shôzô Ichiyama
0

Top Cast

Tony Leung Chiu-wai

Tony Leung Chiu-wai

Wang

Michiko Hada

Michiko Hada

Crimson

Carina Lau

Carina Lau

Pearl

Michele Reis

Michele Reis

Emerald

Jack Kao

Jack Kao

Luo

Rebecca Pan

Rebecca Pan

Huang

S

Stephanie Fong Shuan

Jade

Annie Shizuka Inoh

Annie Shizuka Inoh

Golden Flower

Vicky Wei

Vicky Wei

Jasmin

F

Firebird Liu

Vagabond #2

Themes & Keywords

shanghai, chinabrothelcourtesan19th century

About Flowers of Shanghai

Flowers of Shanghai is a drama film released in 1998 exploring themes of shanghai, china, brothel, courtesan, 19th century. Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, it stars Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Michiko Hada, Carina Lau. At the end of the 19th century, Shanghai is divided into several foreign concessions. In the British concession, a number of luxurious “flower houses” are reserved for the male elite of the city. Since Chinese dignitaries are not allowed to frequent brothels, these establishments are the only ones that these men can visit. They form a self-contained world, with its own rites, traditions and even its own language. The men don’t only visit the houses to frequent the courtesans but also to dine, smoke opium, play mahjong and relax. The women working there are known as the “flowers of Shanghai”.

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