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神女 (Shennü) [The Goddess]

Film Synopsis

Praised as the greatest Chinese silent film, this work of realism features Ruan Lingyu, the bewitching actress hailed as China’s Greta Grabo. The film tells the story of a woman down on her luck. When her husband commits suicide, the young woman becomes a prostitute in order to pay her son’s tuition fees. When her neighbors begin to spread gossip about her at school, her son is forced to drop out. The pressure pushes her to fight with her back against the wall.

[http://www.fapot.org/en/event-detail.php?id=543&mid=23]

Ruan Lingyu’s devastating performance as an unnamed ‘goddess’– an ironic euphemism for her profession as a prostitute – is a classic of world cinema. As a mother desperate to provide for her young son and forced to take brutal vengeance on her pimp, Ruan scorches the screen with brilliantly understated naturalism. Director Wu Yonggang’s stance is deeply humanistic – he never passes judgment on his heroine’s work or actions. It is a profoundly moving drama, all the more poignant by the fact that its star committed suicide at the age of 24, a year after the film’s release.

Robin Baker [https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/LFF/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=goddess]

Video

Film Details

Alternate Titles: The Goddess

Language: 

Original Production Country: China

Original Release Year: 1934

Original Elements Held By: 

Original Distribution Company:

Production Company: Lianhua Film Company

Executive Producer:

Producer: Mingyou Luo & Wu Yonggang

Director: Wu Yonggang

Writer: Wu Yonggang

Cinematography: Hong Weilie

Editor: 

Sound Editor:

Music/Score: Zou Ye – (score for 2014 restoration commissioned by K T Wong Foundation)

Narrator:

Other Credits: Cast : Ruan Lingyu, Tian Jian, Zhang Zhizhi, Li Keng, Li Junpan

Aspect Ratio:

Colour System: B/W

Duration: 85 mins

Restoration Details

Status: Released

Country Where Restored: China

Restoration Release Date:

Country Restoration First Screened: United Kingdom

Lab Image Restored By: CFA, Beijing

Lab Audio Restored By: 

Archive Partner(s) in Restoration: CFA, Beijing

Restored Elements Held By: 

Restoration Funded By: Restoration supported by SAPPRFT, in association with the K T Wong Foundation and the BFI

Restoration Premiere: London Film Festival, 14 October 2014

Screening Rights Held By: CFA, Beijing

BD/DVD Release: United Kingdom, 24 April 2017

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  • The Goddess – UK Premiere Oct 14 2014
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About

Since 2012, Restoration Asia has been a showcase for the work of archives, technical service providers and distributors in their efforts to preserve the audio-visual heritage of Asia.

Restoration Asia is coordinated by OWL Studio, and is designed for archivists, scholars, students and professionals as well as those with a shared passion for the preservation and restoration of Asian Cinema & Asia’s cinematographic history.

レストレーションアジアは、アジア内外のアーカイブ、技術サービスプロバイダー、そして配給業者の仕事を紹介すると共に、アジアの映像遺産を保存する取り組みに焦点を当てます。

この継続的な技術シンポジウムは、アーキビスト、学者、学生、そしてプロフェッショナルのためにデザインされました。アジア映画とアジアの映画史の保存と復元のための情熱を共有するシンポジウムです。

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