International superstar Maggie Cheung (In the Mood for Love) embodies tragic screen siren Ruan Lingyu (1910-1935), known as the "Greta Garbo of China," in this unconventional biopic by Hong Kong New Wave master Stanley Kwan. Kwan and Cheung paint a kaleidoscopic yet intimate portrait of the ill-fated actress, deftly blending lush period drama, archival footage and metatextual documentary sequences of Cheung reflecting on Ruan’s legacy. Rotten Tomatoes rating of 92%.

"Tender, vivid and almost overwhelmingly moving" — Time Out

NR, 154 min., 1991. Closed captions (CC) in English.