British Universities Film & Video Council

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China Girl

Synopsis
Independent feature film. Set in New York’s Lower East Side, a reworking of Romeo and Juliet and updating of WEST SIDE STORY using rock music. The interracial love affair between an Italian boy and a Chinese girl leads to gang warfare between the respective communities who disapprove of this liaison. The ballroom scene is transposed to a dance hall in a ghetto and the balcony scene is enacted on a fire escape.
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Film; Video
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1987
Duration
90 mins; 8,127 feet
Availability
Sale

Credits

Director
Abel Ferrara
Producer
Michael Nozik
Screenplay
Nicholas St John
Music
Joe Delia
Cast
Richard PanebiancoTony Monte (Romeo)
Sari ChangTyan-Hwa (Juliet)
David CarusoJimmy Mercury
James RussoAlberto Monte

Additional Details

Production type
Fiction Films
Plays
Romeo and Juliet
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Gangster films

Notes

General
Although CHINA GIRL regularly appears on lists of screen versions of Shakespeare’s works the director has distanced himself from both the play and WEST SIDE STORY feeling the Chinese/Italian situation to be greatly different.

Production Company

Name

Street Lite

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Retail outlets

Record Stats

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