Flowers of Shanghai
1998 · 113 MIN · IMDB 7.3 · 4,300 VOTES · DIR. Hou Hsiao-hsien
Overview
At the end of the 19th century, Shanghai is divided into several foreign concessions. In the British concession, a number of luxurious “flower houses” are reserved for the male elite of the city. Since Chinese dignitaries are not allowed to frequent brothels, these establishments are the only ones that these men can visit. They form a self-contained world, with its own rites, traditions and even its own language. The men don’t only visit the houses to frequent the courtesans but also to dine, smoke opium, play mahjong and relax. The women working there are known as the “flowers of Shanghai”.
Dialogue Timeline — 1,187 lines
A SAMPLE ACROSS THE RUNTIME — EVERY LINE IS SEARCHABLE
00:00:43 In the late 19th century...
00:03:29 Come on, drink up!
00:06:43 Your next dish!
00:10:07 she had many other callers.
00:12:40 Consider, Master Wang...
00:16:09 How can she accept if you begrudge her...
00:20:56 I just told her...
00:25:30 When she doesn't, she borrows from me.
00:28:54 So painful!
00:33:57 if the whole family shares one small room?
00:39:24 Nothing special about me, either, so they suit me.
00:43:33 But you've been drinking, you must have eaten.
00:49:59 Master Wang, please eat more!
00:53:39 So why did she tell me she can't do it?
00:57:45 She'll keep all of it.
01:01:09 Come on, let's empty these cups.
01:04:52 Where's the mistress?
01:12:28 Our mistress has been so anxious.
01:20:45 But you should choose better male friends.
01:25:51 Yes.
01:31:51 Jingda left her and hasn't been replaced?
01:36:36 You've forgotten the lesson of the hookah.
01:41:29 Help her take it.
20:00:00 just from me.
Cast & Characters
Dialogue Record
Lines indexed1,187
Dialogue density10.5 lines / min
First line00:00:43
Final line20:00:00
Production Record
DirectorHou Hsiao-hsien
LanguageChinese
IMDb votes4,300