Dir/Scr: Zhu Shilin
Prod Co: China United
Cast: Nancy Chan, Liu Qiong
1943 | B&W | DCP | Mandarin | 82min

This is the swansong of Nancy Chan's illustrious acting career. The tagline of the film ‘put your husband on a leash' boldly declared its ambition to subvert gender expectations. The husband of Chan's character is a US-educated socialite living a hedonist lifestyle. However, she is utterly hopeless in social functions of all kinds. Not only does the husband enjoy casual flings with his mistress, he even speaks to his wife about the legitimacy of polygamy. Deceptively light-hearted, the film in fact interrogates the institution of marriage, exploring the power relation between husband and wife; the battle of the sexes. Chan plays both the wife and the mistress. Seducing the husband in bed, Chan's performance in the denouement is among the most memorable of her career. A woman's desire, as the scene suggests, is not defined by the wish and whimsy of men. Women can take the lead; they have a say in they want too!