The role, if any, of ethics in business is a modern-day debate. As it turns out, it could have just as easily made headlines in turn-of-the-century China.
On Sunday, April 25th, the Bay Area’s own Christina Yao was at the Sundance Kabuki Theater for the local premiere of her directorial debut, Empire of Silver. Yao welcomed two packed theaters full of San Francisco International Film Festival patrons with “hello, neighbors,” quietly revealing that showing her film in front of close friends and neighbors is particularly terrifying.
Adapted from the best-selling novel and romance trilogy by Cheng Yi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Yao, Empire of Silver took 6 years to make. It’s epic in scale and themes, stunning in visual composition and rich in authentic period detail. Hong Kong heartthrob Aaron Kwok helps makes it easy on the eyes as well.
In a Q&A following the screening, Yao recounted that they shot in 13 cities and used 46 sets, as well as a stable of 150-200 trucks while shooting. According to Yao’s odometer, China is roughly five times as wide as the U.S., but she describes shooting in the real locations the most important decision she made for the film.
The story is of the wealthy Kang family during the last years of the Qing dynasty and has been described as the history of “Chinese Wall Street”- just with silver instead of paper money. If you’re a fan of sweeping period dramas, star-crossed lovers, familial obligation, sword fighting and wolf attacks, see it on the big screen.
Empire of Silver’s next screening is Saturday May 1st at 9pm.
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