FLOWERS OF SHANGHAI (1998) - Criterion Collection (Reblog)

This post, in fact, this entire blog is too wonderful to not reblog and call attention to. I love Asian cinema and this classic Taiwanese drama film has been aptly described by the blog publisher with these words: 

"Composed in a languorous procession of entrancing long takes, Flowers of Shanghai evokes a vanished world of decadence and cruelty, an insular universe where much of the dramatic action remains tantalizingly offscreen—even as its emotional fallout registers with quiet devastation."

Continue reading and you won't be disappointed. FLOWERS OF SHANGHAI (1998) - Criterion Collection | The Entertainment Factor

If This Movie Appeals to You, Here is Another Recommednation:

The Flowers of War (2011)

Unfolds during the horrific 1937 Nanjing Massacre, where Japanese forces overrun the city, leaving civilians desperate for sanctuary. An American mortician, John Miller (Christian Bale), arrives at a cathedral expecting to prepare a priest’s body, only to find himself the only adult male among a group of terrified schoolgirls. Soon after, a group of courtesans also seeks refuge in the church, creating tension between innocence and worldliness.

As the Japanese army closes in, Miller reluctantly assumes the role of protector, disguising himself as a priest to shield the women. What begins as an act of survival evolves into a profound story of sacrifice, as each character confronts the brutality around them and discovers unexpected depths of courage. The film blends harrowing wartime realism with deeply human moments, highlighting compassion in the face of overwhelming violence.

• REF: The Flowers of War (2011) Full Movie Summary | Plot Explained

Lead Characters & Actors

• John Miller – an American mortician posing as a priest (played by Christian Bale)

• Yu Mo – a strong-willed courtesan (played by Ni Ni)

• Shu – one of the schoolgirls (played by Zhang Xinyi)

• Major Li (played by Tong Dawei)

• Colonel Hasegawa (played by Atsuro Watabe)

Awards & Critical Praise

• The film earned 15 wins and 19 nominations, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. IMDb

• Ni Ni received widespread acclaim for her breakout performance as Yu Mo, earning multiple newcomer awards in Asia.

• Critics praised Zhang Yimou’s sweeping cinematography and the film’s emotional intensity, noting its blend of epic scale and intimate character drama. 

moviemaniacsDE. “Flowers Of War.” YouTube, 11 Dec. 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj2uhyfVNmQ.