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Shanghai Triad

Original title: Yao a yao, yao dao wai po qiao
  • 1995
  • R
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
Gong Li in Shanghai Triad (1995)
Theatrical Trailer from Sony Pictures Classics
Play trailer4:38
1 Video
70 Photos
CrimeDramaHistory

A provincial boy related to a Shanghai crime family is recruited by his uncle into cosmopolitan Shanghai in the 1930s to be a servant to a ganglord's mistress.A provincial boy related to a Shanghai crime family is recruited by his uncle into cosmopolitan Shanghai in the 1930s to be a servant to a ganglord's mistress.A provincial boy related to a Shanghai crime family is recruited by his uncle into cosmopolitan Shanghai in the 1930s to be a servant to a ganglord's mistress.

  • Director
    • Yimou Zhang
  • Writers
    • Feiyu Bi
    • Li Xiao
  • Stars
    • Gong Li
    • Baotian Li
    • Xiaoxiao Wang
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    5.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Yimou Zhang
    • Writers
      • Feiyu Bi
      • Li Xiao
    • Stars
      • Gong Li
      • Baotian Li
      • Xiaoxiao Wang
    • 40User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 5 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Shanghai Triad
    Trailer 4:38
    Watch Shanghai Triad

    Photos70

    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)
    Shanghai Triad (1995)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gong Li
    Gong Li
    • Xiao Jingbao
    Baotian Li
    Baotian Li
    • Tang, the Gang Boss
    Xiaoxiao Wang
    Xiaoxiao Wang
    • Shuisheng, the boy
    Xuejian Li
    Xuejian Li
    • Liu, 6th Uncle
    Chun Sun
    Chun Sun
    • Song, Tang's No. 2
    Biao Fu
    Biao Fu
    • Zheng, Tang's No.3
    Shu Chen
    Shu Chen
    • Shi Ye
    Jiang Liu
    • Fat Yu
    Baoying Jiang
    • Cuihua, the Widow
    Qianquan Yang
    Qianquan Yang
    • Ah Jiao
    Ying Gao
    Weiming Gao
    Shuliang Lian
    Ya'nan Wang
    Zhang Yayun
    Guo Hao
    Jiasheng Zhen
    Ni Zengshao
    • Director
      • Yimou Zhang
    • Writers
      • Feiyu Bi
      • Li Xiao
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was a difficult film for Yimou Zhang to make. His relationship with his leading lady Gong Li was coming to an acrimonious end and the Chinese authorities were deliberately hassling him with complicated and elusive work permits. That was mainly because they were still annoyed with him for submitting his previous film To Live (1994) to the Cannes Film Festival without their permission.
    • Quotes

      Xiao Jingbao: [to Song] Just because you fucked me you think you're the boss?

    • Connections
      Featured in 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1996)

    User reviews40

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A wonderful film of Chinese triads in the early Republic, with all the dynamic.
    Gong-Li and film making partner Zhang Yimou have another fine hit; in a series that is beautiful filmmaking as well as one the government would find disapproving of the reality of triads.

    She plays a "moll" , also a singing star triggering more than an ample reward for the conniving under bosses who would try to topple the boss.

    Stunningly photographed and acted, maybe near the Hang Zhou coast (or a rare unfilled canal in Shanghai?) ... with his beautiful concubine, and the narrative device of a young male orphan as fellow observer; the Boss hits the mattresses due to an attempted murder from within; and retires to an island to discern the traitor giving orders to kill anyone who arrives or leaves the island without his permission.

    Then the Boss waits, and Gong-Li idles no longer singing in the cabaret; and the "smoke out" begins.

    Excellent poignant drama sensitively photographed.

    As in all her films, and the directors, the people as bystanders and victims of any corruption is a subtle attended theme!
    helpful•8
    1
    • cinescot
    • Feb 18, 1999

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 22, 1995 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • China
    • Official site
      • Sony Pictures Classics
    • Language
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • Hội Tam Hoàng Thượng Hải
    • Filming locations
      • Shanghai, China(location)
    • Production companies
      • Alpha Films
      • La Sept Cinéma
      • Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,086,101
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $209,098
      • Dec 25, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,086,101
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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