Center Stage
Original title: Ruan Ling Yu
- 19911991
- 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Biopic of 1930s Chinese actress Lingyu Ruan.Biopic of 1930s Chinese actress Lingyu Ruan.Biopic of 1930s Chinese actress Lingyu Ruan.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
- Awards
- 12 wins & 15 nominations
Li-li Li
- Selfas Self
- (as Lily Li)
Paul Chang Chung
- Boss of Lianhuaas Boss of Lianhua
- (as Paul Chang)
Lingyu Ruan
- Selfas Self
- (archive footage)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
A film so delicate you can almost break it off in your hand, this is a stunning biography of Ruan Lingyu, China's first real movie star, a woman who lived a "colorful" life and was dead before she was 30. Director Stanley Kwan deftly mixes his narrative with actual film clips, re-creations of lost films, interviews with survivors, and his own conversations with his cast. The result is a kaleidoscope of emotion and tragedy. Maggie Cheung is nothing less than astonishing as Ruan, and she is ably supported by Tony Leung (of Anna's the lover). —STSH
- Genres
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaWith her win for Best Actress at the 1992 Berlin Film Festival, Maggie Cheung became the first Chinese actor to win a major European film award.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Still Love You After All These (1997)
Top review
Maggie Cheung is excellent
This is a biopic about Yuan (Ruan) Ling-Wu, a movie star of the 30's in China. I've never seen any film she's been in, but I am very intrigued now. Maggie Cheung is excellent in this role. I feel Ms. Cheung is one of the best actresses in film, from any country. She is always interesting to watch. She plays Yuan sympathetically, passionately and solemnly. Looking at her in this role, looking at her pretty eyes, you can tell she understood this actress. At times, she looks flat out beautiful, especially when she smiles. I liked the style of this film, that the real Maggie Cheung comments on Yuan Ling-Wu during the film. Also commenting is the now departed contemporary of Ling-Wu, the very good actress Lilly Li (a few of her films have been recently released on DVD, and should be sought out). The film has a tragic air to it, as Ruan Ling-Wu committed suicide at the tender age of 25. Even if, like me, you have never heard of the actress, see this film. Ms. Cheung, with her smile, her sorrow, her anger all portrayed brilliantly through the film (she won Best Actress in Asia, richly deserved, just blows you away. Oh, and did I mention, she even dances in this film. A triumph, richly deserving of your time.
helpful•31
- crossbow0106
- Mar 9, 2008
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