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...
00:03:27 Have some more wine!
00:06:33 What a story!
00:09:56 And now he's here, as usual.
00:12:24 our mistress would have no complaint.
00:15:46 but she still says I'm cheating her.
00:20:04 While Treasure gets beaten...
00:24:44 Don't care about face?
00:28:08 '"If you want me to entertain callers, don't beat me!"
00:32:55 It's addictive. I won't be able to work!
00:38:05 Have some tea, Master Wang.
00:42:01 I advised her to tell you!
00:47:30 Thank you.
00:52:05 Let me drink for him.
00:56:11 Think it over, Master Luo.
01:00:00 of silver.
01:02:52 Go and see.
01:10:10 but we started out calling on her for pleasure...
01:16:57 You could torture me to death with accusations.
01:22:50 None of the seven flower house owners in her group...
01:27:46 Master Zhou, let's make a team!
01:34:14 She took raw opium after that, but we saved her life.
01:39:06 Drink it!
01:43:38 Yes.
Cast & Characters
Dialogue Record
Lines indexed1,187
Dialogue density10.5 lines / min
First line00:00:43
Final line01:43:38
Production Record
DirectorHou Hsiao-hsien
LanguageChinese
IMDb votes4,300