The Goddess (1934) Ruan Ling-yu 神女 torrent

Ruan Ling-yi had an eventful life and shocking death, so her performance in this film probably reflects some of what she was going through. This Chinese silent film had a huge influence on Chinese cinema, and culture generally - you can easily see its influence on Stage Sisters (1965), a classic in its own right.

"Goddess" is Shanghai slang for a kept woman. The story is a very realistic portrayal of a single mother driven to prostitution to support her young son. After much humiliation, she has to endure the worst - she is "too degraded to be a good mother".

Although it sounds as pathetic as D.W. Griffith's soap-operas, the gritty realism of the acting makes it something spaecial in silent cinema.