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Plot
In the shadowy corners of 1880s Shanghai, four decadent brothels, or 'flower houses', bloom in all their opulent splendour. Each house is presided over by a seasoned madam, a courtesan in her prime, elderly servants, and budding girls learning the art of allure. Men indulge in raucous camaraderie around tables laden with food, their laughter punctuated by the clink of drinking games and the smoky haze of opium pipes.
Within the confines of these dark-panelled sanctums, the women navigate their world. The air is heavy with an almost Chekhovian melancholy and intrigue. Crimson, the favourite of the brooding patron Wang, fears being replaced by the youthful Jasmin. Emerald, meanwhile, conspires to purchase her own liberty, with the assistance of her benefactor Luo.
Pearl, a fading beauty, imparts wisdom to the headstrong Jade, who clings to the belief that she is betrothed to the young Master Zhu. But is it a dream or a delusion? In this stifling world, women either wither, scheme, or succumb to despair, their stories intertwining in a ballet of survival, ambition, and the ever-elusive promise of freedom.
Where to watch Flowers of Shanghai?
Flowers of Shanghai is a drama movie featuring Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
Flowers of Shanghai is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.