Center Stage

Nov 1 Sunday, November 1 2 PM

Detroit Film TheaterDetroit

dia.org

International superstar Maggie Cheung (In the Mood for Love) embodies screen siren Ruan Lingyu, known as the “Greta Garbo of China,” in this groundbreaking biopic by Hong Kong New Wave master Stanley Kwan. Praised for her moving and emotive onscreen presence, Ruan’s private life, which was frequent fodder for the vicious Shanghai tabloids, began to mirror the melodramas which brought her fame, culminating in her untimely death at age 24. Kwan and Cheung paint a kaleidoscopic yet intimate portrait of the ill-fated actress, deftly blending lush period drama, archival footage, and documentary sequences of Maggie Cheung reflecting on Ruan’s legacy. The result was described by Time Out magazine as “tender, vivid, and almost overwhelmingly moving.” This radiant new 4K restoration was supervised by the director for the film’s 35th anniversary. In Cantonese, Mandarin and English, with English subtitles. “A masterpiece… The greatest Hong Kong film I’ve ever seen.” – Jonathan Rosenbaum, The Chicago Reader

The film

Poster for Center Stage

Center Stage (1991)

dir. Stanley Kwan Kam-Pang · 2h 35m · TMDB 7.3

Based on the tragic true story of China's first prima donna of the silver screen, Ruan Lingyu, chronicling her rise to fame as a movie actress in Shanghai during the 1930s.

IMDb TMDB