The Soong Sisters (1997)
"Song jia huang chao" (original title)

The Soong family was a political dynasty in China that reached the highest levels of power. This film follows the lives of the three Soong daughters, who were educated in America and ... See full summary »

Director:

Mabel Cheung

Writer:

Alex Law

Stars:

Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh, Vivian Wu

10 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Maggie Cheung	...	Soong Ching-ling / Madam Sun
Michelle Yeoh	...	Soong Ai-ling / Madam Kung (as Michelle Khan)
Vivian Wu	...	Soong May-ling / Madam Chiang
Winston Chao	...	Sun Yat-Sen
Hsing-kuo Wu	...	Chiang Kai-Shek (as Hsing Kuo Wu)
Zhenhua Niu	...	H.H.Kung (as Zhen Hua Niu)
Elaine Jin	...	Madam Soong
Wen Jiang	...	Charlie Soong

Storyline

The Soong family was a political dynasty in China that reached the highest levels of power. This film follows the lives of the three Soong daughters, who were educated in America and returned to China. Ai-ling (the oldest) married a wealthy and powerful businessman. Ching-ling married Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary founder of modern China. Mei-ling (the youngest) married Chiang Kai-shek, China's leader during World War II. The sisters captured the world's fascination for their brilliant marriages and their strong influence on their nation.

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Plot Keywords:

china | power | politics

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Taglines:

One loved money. One loved power. And one loved China.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Country:

Hong Kong Japan China

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

1 May 1997 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

The Soong Sisters

Filming Locations:

Beijing Film Studio, Beijing, China

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fuji Television Network, Golden Harvest Company, Pony Canyon

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Main Title"
Written by Kitaro
Performed by Kitaro and Randy Miller
Courtesy of PONYCANYON

User Reviews

early 20th-century China through the eyes of three sisters

Until seeing Mabel Cheung's "Song jia huang chao" ("The Soong Sisters" in English), I had never even heard of the Soong sisters. The movie does a really good job focusing on their childhood leading to the establishment of the Republic of China, and then the sisters' associations with important figures in China's history. Ching-ling (Maggie Cheung) married Sun Yat-sen, May-ling (Vivian Wu) married Chiang Kai-shek, and Ai-ling (Michelle Yeoh) married H. H. Kung, although his role is minimized. Large portions of the movie seem to be about the visuals, as we see the elegant setting in which the sisters grew up.

The film came out the same year that Hong Kong got returned to China, so it might have had the aim of getting the two off to a good start. Of course, they had to include lines very favorable to the PRC, namely: "Before, we were slaves of old China. Now, we are slaves of slaves of old China." Overall, this one could appropriately accompany a showing of Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun". I certainly recommend it. Also starring Winston Chao, Hsing-kuo Wu, Zhenhua Niu, Elaine Jin and Wen Jiang.