SHAKESPEARE

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 Panebianco	Tony Monte (Romeo)
Sari Chang	Tyan-Hwa (Juliet)
David Caruso	Jimmy Mercury
James Russo	Alberto 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