Shanghai Triad (1995)

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 (novel)

Stars:

Li Gong, Baotian Li, Xiaoxiao Wang

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Li Gong	...	Xiao Jingbao (as Gong Li)
Baotian Li	...	Tang, the Gang Boss
Xiaoxiao Wang	...	Shuisheng, the boy
Xuejian Li	...	Liu, 6th Uncle
Chun Sun	...	Song, Tang's No. 2
Biao Fu	...	Zheng, Tang's No.3
Shu Chen	...	Shi Ye
Jiang Liu	...	Fat Yu
Baoying Jiang	...	Cuihua, the Widow
Qianquan Yang	...	Ah Jiao
Ying Gao
Weiming Gao
Shuliang Lian
Ya'nan Wang
Zhang Yayun

Storyline

Uncle Liu brings his cousin to Shanghai to work for 'Boss,' the leader of a powerful drug empire in the 1930's. Shuisheng, a simple country boy is awed and overwhelmed by the opulence and immense wealth he is suddenly surrounded by. He is to be the attendant of Xiao Jingbao, the new mistress of 'Boss.' While he fumbles with the demands of his new role, much intrigue is going on around him, well beyond his bewildered perception. Xiao Jingbao is having a tumultuous affair, Fat Yu is starting a gang war, and 'Boss' is beginning to suspect that one of his trusted men is not loyal.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | 

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Taglines:

In 1930's Shanghai violence was not the problem. It was the solution.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and images of violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Xiaoxiao Wang's only film appearance to date.

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Quotes

6th Uncle: [to Shuisheng] All the kids in our family want to come here to get rich, but you're the only one I recommended. Don't let me down.

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Connections

Featured in The 68th Annual Academy Awards (1996)

User Reviews

A stunner in every respect

Here's something you don't see every day - a mobster movie that focuses on the evil of criminals, instead of their coolness. "Shanghai Triad" shows you how mob violence destroys the life of a gangster's moll and endangers her innocent, fresh-from-the-country servant. It's exactly the kind of story you wouldn't see in a Hollywood movie - which is, I suppose, why we watch this weird foreign stuff!

Gong Li is, as ever, forceful and compelling, with a role that's infinitely more interesting than what America's "lead" actresses usually get. She's very glamorous here, and totally unlike the peasant characters she played in "To Live" and several other films. What a wonderful, versatile actress.

The film's other strengths include gorgeous, award-winning cinematography, interesting point-of-view shots, and an effective shift from an urban to a country setting that's pulled off very smoothly. It's a shame that this is the last film that director Zhang Yimou and Gong Li made together, but at least it caps off their collaboration on a high note.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

France China

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shanghai Triad

Filming Locations:

Shanghai, China

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$209,098, 25 December 1995

Gross USA:

$2,086,101

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,086,101

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alpha Films, La Sept Cinéma, Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement International

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1