Jasmine Women
| Jasmine Women | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Hou Yong |
| Produced by | Tian Zhuangzhuang |
| Written by |
Hou Yong Zhang Xian Novel: Su Tong |
| Starring |
Zhang Ziyi Joan Chen Jiang Wen Lu Yi Liu Ye |
| Music by | Su Cong |
| Cinematography | Yao Xiaofeng |
|
Release date
|
15 June 2004 (Shanghai International Film Festival) 23 October 2004 (Tokyo International Film Festival) |
| Country | China |
| Language | Chinese (Mandarin) and Chinese (Shanghainese) |
Jasmine Women (simplified Chinese: 茉莉花开; traditional Chinese: 茉莉花開; pinyin: Mò li huā kāi; literally: "Blooming Jasmine") is a 2004 film, adapted from Su Tong's novel called Funü Shenghuo (妇女生活) which means Women's Lives. It is directed by Hou Yong, formerly a well known cinematographer. Zhang Ziyi plays the youngest of three generations of women who lead lives in Shanghai. Joan Chen plays the great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother. The film recounts this family, the mistakes they make, and a cycle that the granddaughter breaks out of. The film was well received by critics and was praised for its use of color and the performances of Zhang Ziyi and Joan Chen.
The Chinese name of the movie, Mo li hua kai, is based on a popular Chinese song Mo Li Hua, which means "jasmine flower blossom." The names of the characters in the movie are also based on this song.
The film is divided into three chapters: "grandmother, mother, and daughter"; respectively the story of Mo, Li and Hua.
Eighteen-year-old Mo (Zhang Ziyi) lives with her mother (Joan Chen) who owns a small photo shop in Shanghai. She longs to become a movie star, a dream her mother does not understand. One day, Mo meets Mr. Meng (Jiang Wen), the boss of a movie studio. She then leaves her mother to fulfil her film career dream. She enters a relationship with Mr. Meng who is married and later becomes pregnant. She refuses to have an abortion and when the Second Sino-Japanese War begins, Meng leaves Shanghai and abandons Mo. The movie studio is shut down and Mo returns home. She gives birth to Li and blames her child for everything she has lost. Her mother's boyfriend (this is never explicitly stated but implied) also tries to seduce her, using the guise of a free hair appointment. Her mother finds out, and commits suicide not long after.
...
Wikipedia