In 1960s China, French diplomat Rene Gallimard falls in love with an opera singer, Song Liling - but Song is not at all who Gallimard thinks.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Jeremy Irons | ... |
René Gallimard
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| John Lone | ... |
Song Liling
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| Barbara Sukowa | ... |
Jeanne Gallimard
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| Ian Richardson | ... |
Ambassador Toulon
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| Annabel Leventon | ... |
Frau Baden
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| Shizuko Hoshi | ... |
Comrade Chin
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| Richard McMillan | ... |
Embassy Colleague
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| Vernon Dobtcheff | ... |
Agent Etancelin
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| David Hemblen | ... |
Intelligence Officer #1
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Damir Andrei | ... |
Intelligence Officer #2
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Antony Parr | ... |
Intelligence Officer #3
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Margaret Ma | ... |
Song's Maid
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Tristram Jellinek | ... |
Defense Attorney
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Philip McGough | ... |
Prosecution Attorney
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| David Neal | ... |
Judge
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| Sean Hewitt | ... |
Ambassador's Aide
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Peter Messaline | ... |
Diplomat at Party
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| Michael Mehlmann | ... |
Drunk in Paris Bar
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Barbara Chilcott | ... |
Critic at Garden Party
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George Jonas | ... |
Mall Trustee
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Carl Zvonkin | ... |
Surveillance Technician
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Viktor Fülöp | ... |
Marshal
(as Viktor Fulop)
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Cadman Chui | ... |
Accordian Player
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The Beijing Opera Troupe | ... |
Beijing Opera Performers
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María Teresa Uribe | ... |
Paris Opera Madama Butterfly
(as Maria Teresa Uribe)
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| Harriet Chung | ... |
Red Guard Dancer
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Monica Gan | ... |
Red Guard Dancer
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Ayumi Komoda | ... |
Red Guard Dancer
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Tammy Lok | ... |
Red Guard Dancer
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Tracey Oh | ... |
Red Guard Dancer
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Carly Wong | ... |
Red Guard Dancer
(as Tung-Fa Wong)
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Directed by
| David Cronenberg | ||
Written by
| David Henry Hwang | ... | (play) |
| David Henry Hwang | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| David Henry Hwang | ... | executive producer |
| Gabriella Martinelli | ... | producer |
| Philip Sandhaus | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Howard Shore | ||
Cinematography by
| Peter Suschitzky | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Ronald Sanders | ||
Editorial Department
| Gary Fluxgold | ... | second assistant editor |
| Michael Rea | ... | first assistant editor |
| Christopher Severn | ... | color timer |
| Sandra Tucker | ... | post-production coordinator |
| Wiebke von Carolsfeld | ... | trainee assistant editor |
| Pete Watson | ... | second assistant editor |
Casting By
| Deirdre Bowen | ||
Production Design by
| Carol Spier | ||
Art Direction by
| Alicia Keywan | ||
| James McAteer | ||
Set Decoration by
| Elinor Rose Galbraith | ||
Costume Design by
| Denise Cronenberg | ||
Makeup Department
| Suzanne Benoit | ... | makeup artist: Mr. Lone |
| Julia Fenyvessy | ... | makeup artist: Budapest unit |
| Antoine Garabedian | ... | hair stylist: Paris unit / makeup artist: Paris unit |
| Ferdinando Merolla | ... | hair stylist: Mr. Irons |
| Aldo Signoretti | ... | hair stylist: Mr. Lone |
| Ava Stone | ... | makeup artist |
| Margo Vida | ... | hair stylist: Budapest unit |
| Allen Weisinger | ... | makeup artist: Mr. Irons |
| Thomas Yee | ... | assistant hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Jean-Pierre Avice | ... | production manager: Paris unit |
| József Cirkó | ... | production manager |
| Philip Lee | ... | unit manager |
| Adrienne Rorarius | ... | unit manager: Budapest |
| Marilyn Stonehouse | ... | post-production supervisor / production manager |
| László Tímár | ... | production manager: Budapest unit |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| John Board | ... | first assistant director |
| Simon Board | ... | third assistant director |
| Cécile Boisrond-Becker | ... | second assistant director: Paris (as Cecile Boisrond) |
| Cassandra Cronenberg | ... | trainee assistant director |
| Gábor Gajdos | ... | assistant director: Budapest |
| Léonard Guillain | ... | first assistant director: Paris |
| Zsuzsa Gurbán | ... | assistant director: Budapest unit (as Zsuzsa Gurban) |
| Kim H. Winther | ... | second assistant director (as Kim Winther) |
| Lars P. Winther | ... | trainee assistant director (as Lars Winther) |
| Yan Xie | ... | third assistant director: Far East |
Art Department
| John Bannister | ... | key scenic artist |
| Serge Bureau | ... | assistant set decorator |
| Marc Corriveau | ... | property master |
| Judit Csák | ... | assistant set designer: Budapest |
| Joe Curtin | ... | construction coordinator |
| John Dondertman | ... | first assistant art director |
| Gyula Farkas | ... | property master: Budapest |
| Danielle Fleury | ... | assistant set decorator |
| Michael Followes | ... | props buyer (as Mike Followes) |
| Ian Fraser | ... | head carpenter |
| Pamela Gibson | ... | property buyer |
| Gina Hamilton | ... | buyer / set buyer |
| Sabri Lariani | ... | assistant head carpenter |
| Gordon Lebredt | ... | second assistant art director |
| Guy Monbillard | ... | dressing propman: Paris (as Guy Montbillard) |
| Peter P. Nicolakakos | ... | set dresser (as Peter Nicolakakos) |
| Jak Oliver | ... | scenic artist |
| Denis Perrier | ... | assistant head carpenter |
| Béla Péterdi | ... | construction manager: Budapest |
| Ferenc Schöffer | ... | set dresser: Budapest |
| Robert H. Steiner | ... | construction bookkeeper |
| Zoltán Szabó | ... | first assistant set dresser: Budapest |
| Armand Thomas | ... | assistant property master |
| Clive Thomasson | ... | lead set dresser |
| Alexandra Thompson | ... | third assistant art director |
| Boryana Varbanov | ... | art department coordinator: Far East |
| E.C. Whelan | ... | set dresser |
| Péter Újvári | ... | assistant property master: Budapest |
| József Kiss | ... | construction assistant (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Tom Bjelic | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Terry Burke | ... | foley artist |
| Richard Cadger | ... | dialogue editor (as Rick Cadger) |
| Tony Currie | ... | dialogue editor |
| Bryan Day | ... | sound mixer |
| David Evans | ... | sound effects editor |
| Alastair Gray | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Wayne Griffin | ... | dialogue editor |
| Michael LaCroix | ... | boom operator |
| Joe Lafontaine | ... | assistant sound editor |
| John Laing | ... | sound effects editor |
| Dino Pigat | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Paul Shikata | ... | foley assistant |
| Lou Solakofski | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Don White | ... | re-recording mixer |
| David Yonson | ... | foley assistant |
Special Effects by
| Georges Demétrau | ... | special effects: Budapest unit |
| Ferenc Deák | ... | special effects technician (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Lisa Atkinson | ... | China visual effects |
| Michael Arias | ... | computer graphics: title sequence (uncredited) |
| Daniel Leung | ... | digital artist (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Ferenc Novinecz | ... | stunts |
| Béla Unger | ... | stunt coordinator: Budapest unit |
| Ho Chow | ... | stunt driver (uncredited) |
| Béla Kasi | ... | assistant stunt coordinator (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Scotty Allan | ... | gaffer |
| Nick Bacon | ... | grip (as Nicholas Bacon) |
| Blake Balentine | ... | grip |
| Russel Bowie | ... | camera trainee |
| Károly Brauner | ... | grip: Budapest |
| Kwong-Hung Joe Chan | ... | grip: far east unit (as Joe Chan) |
| Bernard Chateau | ... | camera car grip: Paris |
| Ted Churchill | ... | steadicam operator: Far East |
| Kevan Dutchak | ... | second assistant camera |
| H. Christopher Hunter | ... | grip (as Christopher Hunter) |
| David Hynes | ... | dolly grip |
| A. Randy Jones | ... | generator operator |
| Steven Lockie | ... | video-assist: Paris |
| Mark Manchester | ... | key grip |
| Alain Manzon | ... | head grip: Paris |
| Mike McDonald | ... | electrician (as Michael McDonald) |
| Steve Morrisson | ... | electrician (as Steven Morrisson) |
| Steve Myers | ... | electrician (as Stephen Myers) |
| Michel Oguntke | ... | clapper loader: Paris (as Michael Oguntkey) |
| Gregory Palermo | ... | best boy grip |
| Patrick Pamart | ... | grip: Paris |
| Michael Rall | ... | first assistant camera |
| Kate Robinson | ... | Steadicam operator: Budapest (as Peter Robinson) |
| Michael Ruggles | ... | electrician |
| Ian D. Scott | ... | best boy (as Ian Scott) |
| Stephen Sebert | ... | video assist operator |
| Takashi Seida | ... | still photographer |
| James Storie | ... | video assist operator |
| Peter Suschitzky | ... | camera operator |
| Rudolf Takács | ... | gaffer: Budapest |
| Chun Fai Tsang | ... | electrician: far east unit |
| Richard Gaal | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Alberte Garo | ... | extras casting: Paris |
| Doreen Jones | ... | casting consultant |
| Karoly Kupics | ... | casting agent: Budapest |
| Eleanor Lavender | ... | extras casting |
| Joanna Merlin | ... | casting consultant |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Angela Arana | ... | wardrobe cutter |
| Mario Davignon | ... | costume supervisor: Mr. Lone |
| Bela Frey | ... | executive in charge of costumes: Budapest |
| Brenda Gilles | ... | costume supervisor |
| Ann Henshaw | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| György Homonnay | ... | wardrobe master: Budapest |
| Marie-Françoise Perochon | ... | wardrobe mistress: Paris |
| József Lender | ... | dresser (uncredited) |
| Sheila Radovancevic | ... | costume assistant (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Debra Beers | ... | location manager |
| Tamás Guba | ... | location manager: Budapest |
| Corinne Kouper | ... | unit location manager: Paris |
| Istvan Kozma | ... | assistant location manager: Budapest |
| Laura Wood Fawcett | ... | location production assistant (as Laura Wood) |
| Joe Barzo | ... | assistant location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Gary Chester | ... | additional music engineer |
| Vic Fraser | ... | music preparation |
| John Kurlander | ... | music engineer |
| Ádám Medveczky | ... | conductor (as Adam Medveczky) |
| Joel Moss | ... | additional music engineer |
| Suzana Peric | ... | music editor |
| Nic Ratner | ... | assistant music editor |
| Simon Rhodes | ... | additional music engineer |
| Jennifer Richardson | ... | music clearance |
| Howard Shore | ... | conductor / orchestrator |
| Roger Williams | ... | music preparation |
Script and Continuity Department
| Sarah Grahame | ... | script supervisor |
| Dug Rotstein | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Eldie Benson | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Michael Billard | ... | driver |
| Andrea Boyd | ... | driver |
| Brian Cann | ... | driver |
| Mac Day | ... | driver |
| Frances Hendry | ... | driver |
| Allen Kosonic | ... | driver (as Al Kosnic) |
| George Markos | ... | driver |
| Frank Mizzi | ... | driver captain |
| Istvan Pintye | ... | transportation manager: Budapest |
| Cactus Simser | ... | head driver |
| Ron Annabelle | ... | driver (uncredited) |
| Csaba Annus | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Maribeth Board | ... | craft service (as Merrie Beth Board) |
| Christine Bodelot | ... | production accountant: Paris |
| Dominique Bruballa | ... | production assistant |
| Mark Bukator | ... | assistant accountant |
| Marie Cambon | ... | interpreter: far east unit |
| Venus Cheuk | ... | unit assistant: far east unit |
| Lesley Clark | ... | production secretary |
| Norma Cole | ... | language consultant: French |
| Robert Cotnoir | ... | synclavier programmer |
| Robin Crumley | ... | production coordinator: far east unit |
| Victor Dezso | ... | interpreter: Budapest |
| Dorothy Ding | ... | interpreter: far east unit |
| Michele Ehlers | ... | choreographer: Beijing opera |
| Prudence Emery | ... | unit publicist |
| Lori Greenberg | ... | assistant: Ms. Martinelli |
| Jamie H.J. Guan | ... | choreographer: Beijing opera |
| Erzsébet Gáspár | ... | extras coordinator: Budapest (as Erzsebet Gaspar) |
| László Helle | ... | head of production: Budapest |
| Anne Jurenas-Polyak | ... | assistant accountant (as Anne Jurenas) |
| Judy 'Lucky' Kemeny | ... | production liaison: Budapest |
| Bobe Kiraly | ... | accountant: Budapest |
| Bea Klukon | ... | interpreter: Budapest |
| Lucette Legot | ... | production coordinator: Paris |
| Christophe Maratier | ... | firearms: Budapest |
| Peter Mitchell | ... | far east consultant: far east unit (as Dr. Peter Mitchell) |
| Lesley Myers | ... | assistant: Ms. Martinelli |
| Rick Parker | ... | animal wrangler |
| Benoit Raguin | ... | production runner: Paris |
| Wesley Seto | ... | stand-in: Mr. Lone |
| Peter Shanne | ... | stand-in: Mr. Irons |
| Timothy Storey | ... | production office assistant (as Timothy M. Storey) |
| Zita Talos | ... | office secretary: Budapest |
| Ing How Tan | ... | interpreter: far east unit / production assistant |
| Magdolna Torok | ... | interpreter: Budapest |
| Julien Toujan | ... | assistant to unit manager: Paris |
| Laura Trombetta | ... | far east liaison: far east unit |
| Benjamin Tucker | ... | production office assistant |
| Sandra Tucker | ... | assistant: Mr. Cronenberg |
| Zsuzsa Varadi | ... | production secretary: Budapest |
| Deborah Zwicker | ... | production coordinator |
| Lisa Atkinson | ... | pre-production consultant: China (uncredited) |
| Randall Balsmeyer | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
| Jim Chad | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Simon St. Laurent | ... | opticals: Film Effects (uncredited) |
Thanks
| David Bombyk | ... | in memory of |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Geffen Pictures (1993) (United States) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1993) (United States) (theatrical) (through)
- Warner Bros. (1993) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1993) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1993) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1994) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1994) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1994) (France) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1994) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1994) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Varus Video (1994) (Russia) (VHS)
- Argentina Video Home (1995) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
- Shout Select (2021) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- The Criterion Channel (2022) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- AIR Studios (music recorded at)
- Abbey Road Studios (music recorded at)
- Balsmeyer and Everett (titles)
- Film Effects (end titles)
- Film House (foley recorded at)
- Francont Film (negative cutting)
- Syzygy Digital Cinema (computer graphics for main title sequence)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
During the Cultural Revolution in China in the mid-1960s, a French diplomat falls in love with a singer in the Beijing Opera. Interwoven with allusions to the Puccini opera "Madama Butterfly", a story of love and betrayal unfolds.
Written by Michael C. Berch |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Passion. Power. Revenge. In all their majesty. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | David Cronenberg loved the play so much that when he heard a movie was being made about it, he volunteered immediately to direct it. See more » |
| Goofs | The word accordion is misspelled "accordian" in the closing credits. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Malice/Cool Runnings/Short Cuts/M. Butterfly/For Love or Money (1993). See more » |
| Quotes |
Song Liling:
The days I spent with you were the only days I ever truly existed. See more » |