Directed by:
David CronenbergCinematography:
Peter SuschitzkyComposer:
Howard ShoreCast:
Jeremy Irons, John Lone, Barbara Sukowa, Ian Richardson, Vernon Dobtcheff, David Hemblen, George Jonas, Annabel Leventon, Tristam Jelinek, Shizuko Hoshi (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Beijing, 1964. French Embassy accountant René Gallimard becomes infatuated with Beijing opera singer Song Liling after watching her perform arias from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." At their first encounter he engages her in what becomes a titillating conversation, in which Liling intriguingly challenges Gallimard's traditional western notions of gender relations. Gallimard's curiosity is now fully aroused and he attends the Chinese Opera just to see Liling again, this time, he initiates an affair which will last 18 years. As soon as Gallimard is promoted to vice consul, becoming privy to top-secret intelligence, Liling takes the opportunity to spy for the Communist regime. But what Gallimard doesn't realize is that there's a secret Liling is keeping from him. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![Jeremy Irons](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/240/163240043_8440f5.jpg)
Jeremy Irons
UK
Best movies:
The Lion King (1994)
The Mission (1986)
The Hollow Crown (2012) (series)
![John Lone](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270495_a652f7.jpg)
John Lone
Hong Kong
Best movies:
The Last Emperor (1987)
The Moderns (1988)
Madame Butterfly (1993)
![Barbara Sukowa](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/168/720/168720710_jp3a8h.jpg)
Barbara Sukowa
West Germany
Best movies:
Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) (series)
Europa (1991)
Voyager (1991)
![Ian Richardson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269363_402234.jpg)
Ian Richardson
UK
Best movies:
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)
The Sign of Four (1983) (TV movie)
Gormenghast (2000) (series)
![Vernon Dobtcheff](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/494/494695_35970a.jpg)
Vernon Dobtcheff
France
Best movies:
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
If Tomorrow Comes (1986) (series)
The Name of the Game (1968) (series)
![David Hemblen](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/157/886/157886369_04c04a.jpg)
David Hemblen
UK
Best movies:
A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2000) (series)
The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Madame Butterfly (1993)
George Jonas
Kingdom of Hungary
Best movies:
Madame Butterfly (1993)
Rare Birds (2001)
Annabel Leventon
UK
Best movies:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Madame Butterfly (1993)
Wimbledon (2004)
![Tristam Jelinek](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/540/161540225_3d71cc.jpg)
Tristam Jelinek
UK
Best movies:
Out of Africa (1985)
Top Secret (1984)
Madame Butterfly (1993)
Shizuko Hoshi
Best movies:
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Madame Butterfly (1993)
Come See the Paradise (1990)
Sean Hewitt
Canada
Best movies:
Madame Butterfly (1993)
Crimson Peak (2015)
Thinner (1996)
Barbara Chilcott
Canada
Best movies:
The Trap (1966)
Madame Butterfly (1993)
Lies My Father Told Me (1975)
![David Neal](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/155/162155936_dc9b71.jpg)
David Neal
UK
Best movies:
Julius Caesar (1970)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Middlemarch (1994) (series)