gong li and film making partner zhang yimou have another fine hit while in a series that be beautiful filmmaking as well a one the government would find disapproving of the reality of triad . she play a moll and also a singing star trigger more than an ample reward for the connive under boss who would try to topple the bos . stunningly photographed and acted and maybe near the hang zhou coast ( or a rare unfilled canal in shanghai . ) . with his beautiful concubine and and the narrative device of a young male orphan a fellow observer while the bos hit the mattress due to an attempted murder from within while and retire to an island to discern the traitor give order to kill anyone who arrive or leave the island without his permission . then the bos wait and and gong li idle no longer sing in the cabaret while and the smoke out begin . excellent poignant drama sensitively photographed . a in all her film and and the director and the people a bystander and victim of any corruption be a subtle attend theme .