In honor of its new 4K restoration, “Thousand Pieces of Gold,” Nancy Kelly’s 1990 feminist Western, is coming to virtual theaters. According to a press release, the Rosalind Chao-led adaptation of Ruthanne Lum McCunn’s novel will have virtual screenings via Kino Lorber’s Kino Marquee beginning this Friday, April 24.
As the trailer for the 4K cut details, “Thousand Pieces of Gold” is the story of Lalu (Chao), a Chinese woman who is sold into slavery by her parents. “They’ll call you China Polly or China Mary. You won’t have your real name here,” the man tasked with selling her to “a good husband” explains.
Described as a feminist take on “the classic Manifest Destiny tale,” “Thousand Pieces of Gold” sees Lalu being trafficked to a predatory saloonkeeper, being bet and won in a poker game, and figuring out how to survive on her own, even in the face of violence.
“I will kill you,” she tells an assailant, fighting him off.
“Thousand Pieces of Gold” is Kelly’s only fiction feature. Per the source, the filmmaker “became a victim of prejudice against women directors within the American film industry and was never offered another movie to direct in spite of extraordinary reviews from critics.”
Kelly’s other credits include documentaries “Rebels with a Cause” and “Downside Up.”
New York’s BAM theater will host a live Q&A with Chao, co-star Chris Cooper, screenwriter Anne Makepeace, and producer Kenji Yamamoto on YouTube on April 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
Check out the new trailer for “Thousand Pieces of Gold” below. Find virtual screening info on Kino Marquee’s website.
