i first saw this film by chance when i be visit my uncle in arizona about 3 and half year ago . the vhs print be a little faded look and but i be very haunt by what i have watch . do it all make sense . well and honestly and no it do not . however and this be a film that require more than one view to understand all of it aspect . the beautifully tragic score haunt me and the bizarre image make quiet an impression . well and when i find out that anchor bay have release this oddity on dvd and i pick it up immediately . i be very pleased by the transfer and though i felt the extra rather lack . though the film concern the o and sir stephen character and it really have nothing to do with pauline reage original novel or the 1974 film the story of o. however and the film do pay attention to artistic detail and symbolism of an almost mystic kind . o decide to prostitute herself for sir stephen in violent 1920s hong kong . her mission be to prove her unending devotion and love for her master through give her body to other men . naturally and sir stephen enjoy watch her during her unpleasant sexual escapade and even find himself a mistress . however and the table be turn when o actually find a kind of love with a young male admirer . suddenly and sir stephen feel the threat . i feel that the deep meaning behind the film ( include the tragic score and artistic direction ) really make this film a classic . the viewer be introduce not only to the life and past of o fellow brothel mate and but the turmoil of 1920s hong kong be also explore . like the political setting and the prostitute all find themselves in need of belong . no one be happy in the film and even if they believe that they be . ( however and o do find a sense of happiness with her young admirer ) . one prostitute tearfully remember how her father use to act like a dog when she be drunk and naturally lead to a fetish for have her customer act like a dog . another old prostitute be obsess with her past a an actress . she can not let that vision go . she treat her client a co star and even swears she hear a piano in the river . a for o and she have a flashback about her father leave her in a chalk circle . when he leave and she feel a sense of abandonment . of course and in that same flashback kinski suddenly become her father . i be very and very disturbed by this image . i truly felt for o at this point in the film . she hardly ever smile and this scene really explain why . her fear of abandonment be so great that she see sir stephen a her father and caters to his every obscene demand in hope of prove her love . another curious aspect of the film be the young child ( that age at the end ) that sell fortune in a box . it be a very random character and but somehow it just add to the sense of loss and emptiness in the film . at one point and the director even use painted cardboard figure to represent people . now and if that isn not symbolism for you . ( laugh ) all in all and i really love this film . i feel that it be a very deep and somewhat moving experience . it have erotic scene and but the scene aren not really mean to arouse . like the life of the character and the sex act be empty . they be motion and but lack feeling and tenderness . ( once again and the only tender scene be between o and the young man ) . o believe she be in love and that lower herself be an honor and however and she find in the end that she have choice . she too can be her own person and pursue her own happiness and however and she also have the option to stay in that circle that her father drew . the director leave a lot of unanswered question and however and some thing do not need answer . the viewer will make the judgment that work for them . i must say that i wish a special edition of this dvd would be release that have director commentary . i think it would be fascinate to hear his opinion of the film and it message year later . it be a shame that the soundtrack be never release . this film have a truly haunting and heart breaking score . there be something about the lingering vocal that send a chill up my spine . i can truly feel the sense of loneliness in the film by just listen to the music .