Split of the Spirit

In Ming Dynasty China, the retiring abbot of a Buddhist monastery invites two dignitaries to help him choose a successor, not suspecting that both of them have hired help to steal a priceless parchment kept in the temple.

In this drama, the harsh treatment of women in Chinese society is examined and subtly commented upon as it tells the tale of an impoverished woman living in Shanghai, circa 1910 who tries to support her brother and sister-in-law. A marriage to a wealthy man is arranged for her, and reluctantly she endures it, even though she does not love the man who is as cruel as he is wealthy. His mother is also brutally unkind to her. She then has a son, but her struggles are not over when her husband dies and only leaves her a modest inheritance. Her wretched life has made her bitter, and so she begins making her son suffer as she die; she also becomes addicted to opium.

The young entrepreneur, Wong Shing-tak, has been married for ten year. He and his wife, Li Lin, lead a satisfying life together, until when some friends introduce Wong to a reporter called Yip Yuen. What starts out as purely a business relationship between the two turns into something much more than that. As Wong shows his trust towards Yip more and more, Li becomes increasingly. The marriage between Wong and Li begins to lose its grip...

Danny, who dreams of being a star in Hollywood, makes his living as an escort. During the day, he wanders around in extraordinary clothing. At night, he plays at bars and discos. His beauty attracts cravings for him from a wealthy married woman to an award-winning producer. His gay friend shows affection to him as well. Everyone yearns for having him, but he loves nobody until he meets an adorable girl Trissy one night. Love and sex drive the two into ecstasy. However, the burden of intimacy also raises the question: could the lascivious nature be tamed with devotion?