Flowers of Shanghai

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

Top cast

Tony Leung Chiu-wai

Wang

Michiko Hada

Crimson

Carina Lau

Pearl

Michele Reis

Emerald

Jack Kao

Luo

Rebecca Pan

Huang

S

Stephanie Fong Shuan

Jade

Annie Shizuka Inoh

Golden Flower

Vicky Wei

Jasmin

F

Firebird Liu

Vagabond #2

H

Hsu Hui-Ni

Shu-Fang's sister

S

Shuan Fang

Jade

H

Hsiao-Hui Wei

Hsu Ming

Tao

J

Josephine A. Blankstein

S

Simon Chang

Zhu Suren

T

Tony Chang

Peking Opera Actor

Y

Yiu-Ming Lee

Azhu

Y

Yu-han Lin

Treasure

W

Wei-kuo Chiang

Details