Flowers of Shanghai: Difference between revisions
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''Flowers of Shanghai'' (上海花) is a Taiwanese movie directed by [[Hou Hsiao |
'''''Flowers of Shanghai''''' (上海花) is a Taiwanese movie directed by [[Hou Hsiao-Hsien]] (who later made ''[[Three Times]]'') and released in 1998. Adapted from a Chinese novel from the turn of the 20th century, it focuses on the lives of several "flowers" (i.e. [[High-Class Call Girl|high-class courtesans]]) in the brothels of [[Shanghai]] in the late 19th century. |
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The movie is mostly non-narrative, consisting of a series of |
The movie is mostly non-narrative, consisting of a series of tableaux, with most of what little action takes place remaining off-screen. Similarly, while a fair bit of talking is done, the really important things are never spoken out loud. |
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The male patrons come to the flower houses for a good time, which involves eating, drinking, being pampered by attentionate courtesans, and of course sex. The girls, meanwhile, vie for their attention, and either attempt to become a given client's favorite in order to be taken up as a second wife, or save money to buy up their own contract. The world they all live in is one of illusion and manipulation. |
The male patrons come to the flower houses for a good time, which involves eating, drinking, being pampered by attentionate courtesans, and of course sex. The girls, meanwhile, vie for their attention, and either attempt to become a given client's favorite in order to be taken up as a second wife, or save money to buy up their own contract. The world they all live in is one of illusion and manipulation. |
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{{tropelist}} |
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=== Features examples of: === |
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* [[Band of Brothels]]: The courtesans. |
* [[Band of Brothels]]: The courtesans. |
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* [[Chinese Dialects and Accents]]: The characters speak in the local Shanghai dialect rather than standard Mandarin. |
* [[Chinese Dialects and Accents]]: The characters speak in the local Shanghai dialect rather than standard Mandarin. |
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* [[Fade to Black]]: Every scene systematically ends that way. |
* [[Fade to Black]]: Every scene systematically ends that way. |
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* [[Gorgeous Period Dress]] |
* [[Gorgeous Period Dress]] |
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* [[High |
* [[High-Class Call Girl]]: The "flowers" aren't common prostitutes, but expensive courtesans catering to an exclusive clientele of rich and well-connected men. |
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* [[Hooker |
* [[Hooker with a Heart of Gold]]: Averted. The courtesans are calculating and manipulative, and those who believe in "true love" are chastised by their peers for their gullibility. |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Films of the 1990s]] |
[[Category:Films of the 1990s]] |
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[[Category:Flowers of Shanghai]] |
[[Category:Flowers of Shanghai]] |
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[[Category:Taiwanese Films]] |
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[[Category:Film]] |
Latest revision as of 17:29, 2 October 2020
Flowers of Shanghai (上海花) is a Taiwanese movie directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien (who later made Three Times) and released in 1998. Adapted from a Chinese novel from the turn of the 20th century, it focuses on the lives of several "flowers" (i.e. high-class courtesans) in the brothels of Shanghai in the late 19th century.
The movie is mostly non-narrative, consisting of a series of tableaux, with most of what little action takes place remaining off-screen. Similarly, while a fair bit of talking is done, the really important things are never spoken out loud.
The male patrons come to the flower houses for a good time, which involves eating, drinking, being pampered by attentionate courtesans, and of course sex. The girls, meanwhile, vie for their attention, and either attempt to become a given client's favorite in order to be taken up as a second wife, or save money to buy up their own contract. The world they all live in is one of illusion and manipulation.
- Band of Brothels: The courtesans.
- Chinese Dialects and Accents: The characters speak in the local Shanghai dialect rather than standard Mandarin.
- Fade to Black: Every scene systematically ends that way.
- Gorgeous Period Dress
- High-Class Call Girl: The "flowers" aren't common prostitutes, but expensive courtesans catering to an exclusive clientele of rich and well-connected men.
- Hooker with a Heart of Gold: Averted. The courtesans are calculating and manipulative, and those who believe in "true love" are chastised by their peers for their gullibility.