Written by Christina Yao from the book Silver Valley by Yi Cheng
Produced by Peggy Chiao and Christina Yao
Cinematography by Yiu Ming Pun
Editing by Humphrey Dixon
Original music by Seikô Nagaoka and Cong Su
Cast: Aaron Kwok, Zhang Tielin, Hao Lei, and Jennifer Tilly
China/Hong Kong/Taiwan, 2009, NeoClassics, 35mm, color, 113 min.
Mandarin with English subtitles
“China, 1899. A hedonistic young man must assume the role of heir to a banking empire he cares little about. Following the tragic kidnapping of his brother's wife, "Third Master" reluctantly submits to pressure from his overbearing father.
Powerful bank-owner Lord Kang is determined to prepare Third Master for financial leadership by molding his son into his own image. The ruthless businessman tries to convince his son to choose a proven unscrupulous bank manager over a more honest one. But the idealistic Third Master has always questioned his father’s autocratic rule and ethics.
The tense relationship is further complicated by Third Master's undying love for his beautiful young stepmother, his first and only love stolen from him by his own father.
Embarking on a metaphysical journey, Third Master must decide whether to follow his father's path or find his own. Greed, deception and jealousy surface under the pressures of war and the impending change from silver to paper bills …” [EMPIRE OF SILVER webpage]