PICCADILLY Cinema's Legacy

After the headlining act quits at an outré London nightclub, the owner turns his obsessive attentions to a preternaturally talented member of the kitchen staff: Shosho (Anna May Wong), a humble dishwasher who enjoys entertaining her fellow backroom employees by vamping around the kitchen. Shosho is promoted to the spotlight as the new headliner at Piccadilly, but not without envy and malice from many around her. Wong, the first Chinese-American movie star, is stunning here in her best role from a career of more than 50 films. She flies in the face of stereotypes with panache and charisma, while proudly inhabiting the sensual character of Shosho. Reportedly frustrated with the relentless racism in the 1920s American film industry, Wong took control of her star identity and chose to team up for this British production with forward-thinking German director E.A. Dupont. PICCADILLY is a brilliant collaboration by two artists at the top of their games. It screens at AFI FEST with a live DJ accompaniment by Ms. 45s. — Beth Hanna