Pavilion of Women (2001)

In the turbulent year of 1938, amidst the looming shadows of World War II and the imminent invasion of China by the Japanese, the narrative of the film "Pavilion of Women" unfolds. Centered around the traditional yet affluent Wu Family, the story is a rich tapestry of conflicting ideologies - traditionalism, communism, and Western thinking - all vying for dominance within the confines of a society on the brink of monumental change. Ailian, the forty-year-old matriarch of the Wu family, is a woman ensnared within the gilded cage of her marriage. To escape the undesired conjugal duties to her wealthy husband, Mr. Wu, she introduces Chiuming, a youthful concubine, into their lives. This act not only shifts the dynamics within their household but also sets the stage for a complex interplay of forbidden passions. Andre, an American priest and doctor, enters this intricate web of relationships when he assumes the role of a tutor to Ailian's eighteen-year-old son, Fengmo Wu. He also extends his teachings to Ailian and Chiuming, inadvertently stirring a whirlwind of clandestine emotions. As the lessons progress, two illicit romances blossom in the shadows: one between the priest and the wife, and another between the son and the concubine. "Pavilion of Women" thus weaves a poignant tale of love and its profound implications in society. It explores how the most profound human emotion can redefine norms, challenge societal constructs, and ultimately, shape destinies against a backdrop of impending chaos and transformation. This film promises a captivating journey through a realm where tradition clashes with change, and love defies all boundaries.

Pavilion of Women is a drama movie featuring Willem Dafoe.

Pavilion of Women is currently streaming on Hoopla.