| Country / Region |
| Taiwan, Japan |
| Year | | | 1998 |
| Format | | | DCP |
| Color | | | Color |
| Length | | | 113 min |
| Rating | | | 0+ |
In the British concession in 19th century Shanghai, a number of luxurious "flower houses" are reserved for the elite of the city. Since the Chinese dignitaries are not allowed to frequent brothels, these establishments are the only places they can visit. The men go to the houses not only to see the courtesans but to dine, smoke opium, play mah-jong and relax. The women there are known as the "flowers of Shanghai".
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Hou Hsiao-hsien's early works The Boys from Fengkuei and A Summer at Grandpa's attracted international attention at the French Festival des 3 Continents. The Time to Live and the Time to Die was awarded at the IFFR and Berlinale; Dust in the Wind also acclaimed by the critics. In 1989, A City of Sadness won the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival. The Puppetmaster, Flowers of Shanghai, Millennium Mambo, and Three Times were shown at the Festival de Cannes, where The Assassin won him the Best Director. |
