Center Stage
1991 · Movie · NR · 155 min · ★ 7.3 · 87% critics
Center Stage is a biographical drama based on the tragic true story of China’s first “prima donna” of the silver screen. It follows her rise to fame in 1930s Shanghai, pairing recreations from her films with conversations from those involved in making the story.
Also known as Centre Stage · The New China Woman · Actress
Where to watch
Watch free on Kanopy — also streaming on Film Movement Plus.
3 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- 阮玲玉
- Years
- 1991
- Release date
- 1991-11-29
- Language
- CN
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 155 min
- Critic score
- 87/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (86 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy Center Stage if you’re drawn to glamorous 1930s Shanghai and a poignant actress biography with layered storytelling; Not for you if you want a straightforward biopic, since the documentary-style interludes can disrupt the flow, unlike The Soong Sisters.
Pros: moving rise-to-fame tale; lush period visuals; layered storytelling | Cons: pacing can feel uneven; documentary bits interrupt drama; some portrayals vague
Themes
- biography
- historical drama
- 1930s
- romantic drama
- ambiguous
Cast & crew
Maggie Cheung
as Ruan Lingyu
Tony Leung Ka-fai
as Cai Chusheng
Ronald Chin Han
as Tang Jishan
Carina Lau
as Li Lili
Lawrence Ng Kai-Wah
as Zhang Damin
Cecilia Yip Tung
as Lin Chuchu
Waise Lee Chi-Hung
as Li Minwei
Paul Chang Chung
as Luo Mingyou
Maryanna Yip San
as Chen Yanyan
Hsiao Hsiang
as Ruan Ma
Directed by Stanley Kwan Kam-Pang