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Details
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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: 4.802817 / 5 from 71 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
Ain’t Blind Buys Grand
"Cover art poster design is cool so went ahead and purchased this without any prior knowledge of it. The movie did not disappoint. Solid presentation, good features, excellent pickup and happy to have it!"
— Sean G. (4/5)
Unmissable HK gem invisible for decades
"Incredible restoration of a great HK movie which was boicotted by Shaw Brothers for decades. Angie Chen is an incredible director who is able to depict the parable of a young girl from her village to the HK crime scene. . . Deserve a place of honour in HK cinema history."
— Elisa L. (5/5)
Hong Kong Exploitation
"My Name Ain’t Suzie is a modest but intriguing slice of early Hong Kong exploitation cinema, remembered today more for its cultural context than its filmmaking finesse. The 1950 film follows a young woman pulled into the world of nightclub hostesses, using melodrama and moral caution to explore themes of poverty, temptation, and social stigma. Stylistically, it blends noir‑ish atmosphere with the didactic tone common in mid‑century “fallen woman” narratives. Performances are earnest, and the film offers a surprisingly sympathetic look at women navigating limited choices in postwar Hong Kong. Still, its pacing can feel stiff, and its moral framing is unmistakably of its era."
— Tarek E. (3/5)
My name ain’t Suzie
"My Name Ain’t Suzie is a compelling Hong Kong drama that blends emotional storytelling with an honest, compassionate look at its characters. The film’s strong performances and grounded direction give it both heart and authenticity. It’s a moving, thoughtfully crafted work that remains a rewarding discovery for fans of Hong Kong cinema."
— Jeffrey W. (5/5)
Great Kani release
"Great Kani release of a great movie with great slipcover. Looks and sounds great, too."
— Jakob P. (5/5)
Wonderful
"Absolutely fantastic film. It bites off a little more than it can chew at times, but too much ambition is better than not enough. Antony Wong is also absolutely stunning in his debut role here."
— Brock T. (5/5)
I Enjoyed This One!
"The slipcover is awesome, as always with anything VS or their awesome partner Labels release! It is a cool movie that was a lot of fun to watch! I always love the unique VS service of allowing you to stack as many movies as you like in your cart during any release period and ship them for free! The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
— Paul K. (5/5)
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)
Keep em coming Kani!
"A very good period drama with a stunning restoration by Kani. Looks and sounds great, and Pat Ha gives a very strong performance. Also, that slipcover is fire."
— James H. (5/5)
My Name Ain't Suzie
"Best film I've seen in a long, long time. Excellent writing, directing, crew, editing etc. This visually sumptuous work of art deserves to be widely promoted and seen around the world. It should be part of history, sociology and women's studies programs at university. It is a realistic portrayal of the lives of sex workers, with all its unique joys, aspirations, happiness and sonetimes sorrows, unique to the profession. It accurately shows the determination, resilience and strengths of the main character, who fights her way to the top of her profession, with support from her female friends and colleagues"
— Anna S. (5/5)
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