Ruan Lingyu

Acting

Ruan Lingyu

Born April 25, 1910 · Shanghai, China

Died March 8, 1935 · aged 24

Ruan Lingyu, born Ruan Fenggen, also known by her English name Lily Yuen, was a Chinese silent film actress. One of the most prominent Chinese film stars of the 1930s, her exceptional acting ability and suicide at the age of 25 led her to become an icon of Chinese cinema.

Known For

A Spray of Plum BlossomsA Spray of Plum Blossoms · 1931
A Spray of Plum Blossoms
★ 6.21931
MovieRomance
Bai Le De and Hu Lun tung are military cadets. After graduating, Hu Lin Tung is appointed captain of Guangdong headquarters and goes away. Later, Bae Le De is also appointed to a post at the same place. Hu Lun Ting falls in love with Luo Hua, daughter of the local commander.
The GoddessThe Goddess · 1934
The Goddess
★ 7.81934
MovieDrama
A young prostitute, who is trying to give her infant son a good start in life, must contend with a coercive pimp and the prejudices of others.
New WomenNew Women · 1935
New Women
★ 6.71935
MovieDrama
Overnight, the sexy Wei Ming will become a successful novelist. But, desperate to get the money that she needs to cure her little daughter (and harassed by a rich, unscrupulous rake), she will end up eventually engage in luxury prostitution.
Goodbye, ShanghaiGoodbye, Shanghai · 1934
Goodbye, Shanghai
1934
MovieDrama
Love and DutyLove and Duty · 1931
Love and Duty
★ 7.31931
MovieDrama
The film tells the story of Yang Naifan (Ruan Lingyu) who runs from her arranged marriage to be with her true love, Li Zuyi (Jin Yan). The film details the poverty she must endure for breaking with tradition.
Wild FlowerWild Flower · 1930
Wild Flower
★ 10.01930
MovieDrama
Ill-fated romance of an orphaned flower girl and a young musician, destroyed by his traditional family and the Shanghai underworld.
National CustomsNational Customs · 1935
National Customs
★ 6.91935
MovieDrama
In 1930, two sisters from the countryside, the serious Zhang Lan and the frivolous Zhang Tao graduate from secondary school where their mother Zhang Jie serves as principal. They both love their cousin Zuo, but have ambitions other than marriage. Their lives change dramatically when both attend university in Shanghai and encounter modern urban life and rapidly changing society. The film also depicts the emergence of Chiang Kai-shek's 1934 New Life Movement. Lianhua Film Studio did the film to appease the Nationalist Party which accused it of primarily presenting left-wing films, which was true.
Little ToysLittle Toys · 1933
Little Toys
★ 7.21933
MovieDrama
Sister Ye lives in a rural village, where everyone makes traditional toys. When Sister Ye's husband dies of an unknown illness, and while Ye is attending to him, her son is kidnapped and sold to a wealthy lady in the city of Shanghai. Shortly after, the village is destroyed during an attack between rival warlords, forcing the villagers move to the city, where they continue to make toys. Ten years pass, and Ye's daughter Zhu'er has become a toy designer. While helping the Nationalist army at the rear, Zhu'er is killed in an attack by the Japanese. On New Year's Eve, Sister Ye is dressed in rags, sitting on the curb, selling toys. A young boy buys toys from her, and it is none other than her son, whom she does not recognize.

Filmography

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