In the waning days of China's feudal aristocracy, a powerful family crumbles under the weight of tradition, betrayal, and inner decay. The Yang household, ruled by the domineering patriarch Mr. Yang, is torn apart as each son struggles with personal misery: a forbidden love, a loveless marriage, a murderous rivalry, and class-defying passion. As secrets of smuggled arms and illicit affairs come to light, the once-mighty clan collapses amid death, scandal, and disgrace.
Ching Miao
Yang De Zheng, the Patriarch
Shih Chung-Tien
1st Master
Ling Yun
Yang Zhi Xiang, 2nd Master
Do Ping
Yang Zhi Hui, 3rd Master
Tsung Hua
Yang Zhi Ying, 4th Master
Li Ching
Shu Jen, 1st Madam
Angelina Lo Yuen-Yan
Yun Hsia, 2nd Madam
Anna Ng
3rd Madam
Tin Ching
Shong Gi Fang
In the waning days of China's feudal aristocracy, a powerful family crumbles under the weight of tradition, betrayal, and inner decay. The Yang household, ruled by the domineering patriarch Mr. Yang, is torn apart as each son struggles with personal misery: a forbidden love, a loveless marriage, a murderous rivalry, and class-defying passion. As secrets of smuggled arms and illicit affairs come to light, the once-mighty clan collapses amid death, scandal, and disgrace.
China, during the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The arranged marriage between Wang Lung, a humble farmer, and O-Lan, a domestic slave, will endure the many hardships of life over the years; but the temptations of a fragile prosperity will endanger their love and the survival of their entire family.
Through a series of flashbacks, four Chinese women born in America and their respective mothers born in feudal China explore their pasts.
During China's Tang dynasty the emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as his wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. Now his control over his dominion is complete, including the royal family itself.
Laney is an attractive, intelligent suburban wife and devoted mother of two adorable children. She has the perfect husband who plays basketball with the kids in the driveway, a pristine house, and a shiny SUV for carting the children to their next activity. However, just beneath the façade lie depression and disillusionment that send her careening into a secret world of reckless compulsion. Only very real danger will force her to face the painful root of her destructiveness and its crumbling effect on those she loves.
A wealthy young man pursues a young woman of modest means, but circumstances often separate them as the years pass.
Tianqing falls in love with Ju Dou, his uncle's wife who is tortured for being childless. However, after they have an affair, they discover that his uncle is impotent and try to conceal the truth.
Four people in different provinces are driven to violent ends: An angry miner is enraged by corruption in his village. A migrant discovers the possibilities of owning a firearm. A receptionist is pushed beyond her limits by an abusive client. A young factory worker goes from one job to the next.
Beijing, 1970s. The Cultural Revolution has driven most adults to the provinces leaving 14-year-old Monkey and his pals have free reign over the city. They hang around, get up to no good, and discover that unsolvable mystery known as "girls."
In 19th century New York high society, a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman's cousin.
A man who loves games and theatre invites his wife's lover to meet, setting up a battle of wits with potentially deadly results.