This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!
Details
2026 Subscribers: This is NOT included in your Subscription. If you'd like to purchase it, you will need to login to view your special 50% off SRP pricing.
This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover was limited to 1,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
Named after Yasujiro Ozu’s custom-made, tatami-level, crab-like tripod, Kani is a new home video label dedicated to leveling the gaze and furthering the understanding of Asian cinema in North America. Focused on genre-defying films, Kani aims to expand the canon, bolster up-and-coming filmmakers and reintroduce repertory classics in context. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!
In her ambitious follow up to Maybe It's Love, Angie Chen offers a rebuke to the colonial imagination of films such as The World of Suzie Wong (1960). Instead, she brings the Hong Kong of the 50s and 60s to life on her own terms with the story of Shui-Mei (Patricia Ha), a “salt water girl” from the outskirts of the city, who finds a way out of poverty in the Red Light district of Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Over the years, she rises through the ranks, discovering a world of equal hardship and sisterly camaraderie, where colourful characters abound – among them Jimmy (Anthony Wong, in his debut role), a mixed-race kid looking for his father in the crowd of thirsty American sailors. Penned by John Chan Koon Chung (My Heart Is That Eternal Rose), My Name Ain’t Suzie brings a New Wave sensibility to the waning years of the Shaw Brothers Studio with a decade spanning epic that resourcefully reconstructs a bygone era of Cantonese cinema. A rags-to-riches story blending romance and brothel drama, Chen’s film is above all a tale of feminine resilience at the nexus of historical events and shifting colonial powers.
directed by: Angie Chen starring: Pat Ha Man-Jik, Anthony Wong, Deanie Ip, Angela Yu Chien 1985 / 103 min / 1.85:1 / Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
Newly commissioned 2K restoration from the original camera negatives and best surviving elements
Interview with director Angie Chen (12mins, 2026)
Interview with screenwriter and planner John Chan (17mins, 2026)
"Becoming Jimmy" on casting Anthony Wong, with Angie Chen, John Chan, and Anthony Wong (8mins, 2026)
Angie Chen on "Working in Hong Kong" (10mins, 2026)
Original Theatrical Trailer
Booklet with new writing by Xueli Wang
English, English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 50 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
My Name Ain't Suzie, a Blu-ray release by Kani, offers a 2K restoration of Angie Chen's film, praised for its historical context and feminine resilience. The release includes interviews with the director and screenwriter, and a theatrical trailer booklet. It's a compelling choice for fans of Asian cinema and historical dramas.
"This Release feels thoughtful and overdue, giving Angie Chen’s film a proper spotlight." — JIN L.
"Wonderful film and artwork." — David P.
"Great film & Packaging" — Kyle B.
Reviews
Great period movie
"Despite the salacious topic, this movie is as non exploitational as it could be. No sex, nudity, or really all that much objectionable which is pretty shocking for a film about sex work. One quick moment of violence towards the end and that's about it. Feels like a throwback to 30's or 40's character dramas. Even the flashback structure feels like an older classic film. Great performances. Some implied lesbian content which was pretty rare at Shaw Brothers. A great director who should have done more films. Interesting interview with her about the movie and casting of Anthony Wong in his first role. Great period production value on a surely limited budget. Recommended."
— Ed K. (5/5)
Angela Chan’s restrained direction gives the film a measured feel
"Rather than leaning into sensationalism, it offers a careful selection of lived experience shaped by colonial influence, economic pressure, and the encroachment of American interests that quietly reshape the city’s social fabric. Where observation replaces moral judgment and performance carries much of the emotional weight. What emerges is a quietly radical artwork, grounded in Pat Ha’s understated strength, that treats agency, survival, and constraint as inseparable forces within a vividly rendered world."
— Mitchell C. (5/5)
we love Angie Chen
"great stuff! Kani as always digging out the ones no one else has gotten to yet. As with their other Chen release, Maybe It's Love, we're in trustworthy hands here as she makes films not quite like anyone else, while also being drenched in so many influences in the best way. Beautiful restoration, and as always, special features par excellence!"
— William M. (5/5)
Maybe It's Another One
"While not my favorite thing of all time I quite enjoyed Angie Chen's Maybe It's Love. It's very unique for Shaw Brothers in it's content but also being directed (well!) by a woman. So an easy grab is another movie from her."
— Michael G. (5/5)
My Name Ain't Suzie
"Vinegar Syndrome bring us the newly commissioned 2K restoration of this littlecseen Shaw,Brothers film. Packed with new interviews from Director Angie Chen and cast. Missed out on slipsleeve but dont care its an awesome edition to my collection."
— Philip G. (5/5)
"Smoke gets in your eyes"
"The way Angie Chen's film turns into a small-scale historical epic is quietly heartbreaking. This one is more focused than Maybe It's Love, and stands out as a beautiful portrait of women agin and time passing on without us noticing it at first. Highly recommended!"
— Alexandre R. (5/5)
Excellent and unexpected
"Never thought I'd see this gem restored so beautifully. A great drama from a less studied era of Shaw Brothers history and the package is stunning"
— Andrew I. (5/5)
Forgotten Gem
"A gritty little character piece that deserves way more attention than it gets."
— Chris T. (5/5)
Great set for a great underappreciated film!
"Another home run set from Kani. The transfer looks amazing, and the included booklet includes some wonderfully written essays."
— Ben L. (5/5)
Another Kani Winner
"Another winning release from Kani! The transfer looks great, really effective drama!"
— Eli O. (5/5)
Q&A
More Items to Consider
Cart
0 Item(s)
Stay in the know!
Join our mailing list for updates on new releases, promotions & events.
