Awful Truth

Awful Truth (1950) is a drama, comedy film directed by Li Ping-Qian rated 8.0/10.

As China falls into hyperinflation following the end of the war, people fought tooth and nail to get their hands on the only reliable currencies in the world: gold and American dollars. This is a story that shows how seven bars and two thousand US dollars bring together an interesting mix of characters: an opportunistic manager, a materialistic courtesan, a con artist posing as a commissioner of the Treasury, a white-collar worker who will do anything for a promotion, a man who specialises in conning women, a father who marries off his daughter for money and a sorcerer who fakes his magic. In this dog-eat-dog world, the only truth is that everyone is lying for his own gain. Playing the courtesan who longs to be part of high society, Li Lihua steals the film with a feisty performance opposite the amusing Yan Jun, whose con artist character has a tendency to flirt with lyrics from Peking operas.

Cast

Li Li-Hua

Su Man Na

Han Fei

Chang Geng Liang

Yen Chun

Pan Chung Fu

Hsi-Yu Li

Manager Chao

Lin Na

Mrs. Wu

Lien Liu

Mrs. Ho

Ping Fan

Hsiao Li

Chin Su

Sai Shen Hsin

Yin Szema

Socialite

Wang Yuan-Long

Ho Chi Hsin

Hsiao Yen

Wu Hsin Yuan

Sun Jinglu

Wu Yu Ling