In late-19th-century Shanghai, brothels are known as “flower houses.” A small and confined world unto themselves, the brothels offer an alternate universe for the well-to-do male clientele. But for the women who work within, the brothels are no fantasyland; they either succumb to this reality or fight against destiny.
Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien. Writers: Bangqing Han (from the 1892 dialect novel by) (as Han Ziyun), Eileen Chang (novel), T’ien-wen Chu (writer). Stars: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Hada Michiko, Carina Lau Ka Ling, Jack Kao, Michelle Reis, Vicky Wei, Rebecca Pan, Firebird Liu, Michiko Hada, Shuan Fang, Annie Shizuka Inoh. Cinematographer: Ping Bin Lee. Composers: Yoshihiro Hanno, Duu-Chih Tu.
1998 Cannes Film Festival – Nominated for the Palme d’Or.
