Xiao Hong, one of most radiant female writers, lived through the most turbulent times in contemporary China. Although the basic facts about her life are easy to establish, much of the detail remains obscure. Her estrangement from her father sparked a long quest for an emotionally satisfying life. She was rescued from poverty by writer Xiao Jun, but their competitive relationship brought her more heartache than joy. While escaping the Japanese invasion, she married novelist Duanmu Hongliang and fled together to Hong Kong, which soon fell to the Japanese. She died of tuberculosis at the age of 31. Prominent and prolific Hong Kong helmer Ann Hui recreates the life of the pioneering and prodigiously talented 20th-century legendary novelist. Premiering as the closing film at the 71st Venice International Film Festival, THE GOLDEN ERA is also selected for Toronto International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival.
