China Girl (1987)

A modern day Romeo & Juliet story is told in New York when an Italian boy and a Chinese girl become lovers, causing a tragic conflict between ethnic gangs.

Director:

Abel Ferrara

Writer:

Nicholas St. John

Stars:

James Russo, Richard Panebianco, Sari Chang

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Russo	...	Alby
Richard Panebianco	...	Tony
Sari Chang	...	Tye
David Caruso	...	Mercury
Russell Wong	...	Yung Gan
Joey Chin	...	Tsu Shin
Judith Malina	...	Mrs. Monte
James Hong	...	Gung Tu
Robert Miano	...	Enrico Perito
Paul Hipp	...	Nino
Doreen Chan	...	Gau Shing
Randy Sabusawa	...	Ma Fan
Keenan Leung	...	Ying Tz
Lum Chang Pan	...	Da Shan
Sammy Lee	...	Mohawk

Storyline

A modern day Romeo & Juliet story is told in New York when an Italian boy and a Chinese girl become lovers, causing a tragic conflict between ethnic gangs.

---

Plot Keywords:

chinese girl | italian | gang | chinese | shakespeare in modern dress | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Krieg in Chinatown

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,262,091 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Great American Films Limited Partnership, Street Lite, Vestron Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Out of all of the films he has directed, Abel Ferrara has stated that "China Girl" is his favorite.

---

Quotes

Alby: "The fuckin' Chinese blew up half the block tonight"
Tony: "Don't fuck with the Chinese Alby, they'll fucking kill you"
Alby: "Mind your business"

---

Crazy Credits

After the credits there is a line: Dedicated to the people of Chinatown and Little Italy.

---

Connections

Referenced in A Short Film About the Long Career of Abel Ferrara (2004)

---

Soundtracks

"Sentimental Reasons"
Written by W. Best and D. Watson
Dutchess Music Corporation
Vocal performed by Peter Yellen
Arrangement by Joe Delia

User Reviews

Abel Ferrara's most conventional and commercial movie. A solid drama about inter-racial romance, cultural differences and gang rivalry.

'China Girl' is easily Abel Ferrara's most conventional and commercial movie to date. Thankfully it improves on his previous movie 'Fear City', which was too compromised and "Hollywood" to succeed. The story is a basic updating of Romeo And Juliet set against the background of Chinese and Italian gang rivalry. Newcomers Richard Panebianco and Sari Chang play Tony and Tye the ill fated lovers who continue their forbidden romance against pressure from their family and friends. Neither actor has went on to all that much but they are both more than adequate and make a sweet couple. The real action comes from solid performances by James Russo ('Donnie Brasco'), David Caruso ('Kiss Of Death'), Russell Wong ('The Prophecy 2'), Paul Hipp ('Teenage Caveman') and Joey Chin ('Year Of The Dragon'), many of whom went on to work with Ferrara on later projects. It was also good to see Judith Malina ('Dog Day Afternoon') and veteran character actor James Hong ('Big Trouble in Little China') in supporting roles. While by no means as flamboyant and confrontational as Ferrara's best known work, this is a surprisingly entertaining story which should appeal to a much wider audience than his "difficult" but rewarding movies such as the stunning 'Bad Lieutenant' or the fascinating 'The Addiction'. This movie doesn't deserve its obscurity and is well worth a rental.