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!
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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)
"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)
A gorgeous restoration of a totally new-to-me Shaw classic
"I loved Kani's release of Chen's first movie, a really different sort of Shaw studio movie, so I was immediately interested here. It did not disappoint. Really pleased with the restoration work Kani did here to make it look as good as it ever has."
— Stephen P. (5/5)
Great movie.
"This is a great film from shaw bros. The story is very interesting."
— Guillermo M. (5/5)
Keep up the Shaw Bros releases
"Love that VS and the sub-labels have been issuing a steady stream of the non-martial arts SB films. Enjoying the HK new wave titles that have come out the past few months. Keep it up and let’s get some more crime titles too!"
— Erik S. (5/5)
Great film & Packaging
"Another great one from Kani - they are crazy consistent with their quality. Easily my favorite Partner label. Love the 80's style artwork as well!"
— Kyle B. (5/5)
Great release
"Blind buy and didn't disappoint. Need more like this film."
— Rafael B. (5/5)
HK Melodrama
"Extremely entertaining Melodrama following a sex worker. Pat Ha is great in the lead role. Angie Chen directs. A follow up to Maybe It’s Love (also available from Kani)."
— Benjamin S. (5/5)
80s Shaw bros gem
"Getting into the Shaw brothers catalog outside of martial arts films this was an enjoyable watch great restoration big fan of Kani’s output has been awesome"
— Theodore M. (4/5)
Really good
"Went into this one blind. Highly recommended"
— Adam R. (5/5)
Good times at the Lucky
"Good times at the Lucky Bar. Memorable Hong Kong period drama that should be seen by everyone at least once."
— Kevin W. (5/5)
Q&A
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