China Girl is a 1987 film directed by independent film

Independent film

An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...

maker Abel Ferrara

Abel Ferrara

Abel Ferrara is an American film screenwriter and director. He is best known as an independent filmmaker of such films as The Driller Killer , Ms. 45 , King of New York , Bad Lieutenant and The Funeral .-Early life:Ferrara was born in the Bronx of Italian and Irish descent...

, and written by his longtime partner Nicholas St. John.

Story

China Girl is a modern take on the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...

. Set in 1980s Manhattan

Manhattan

Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...

, the plot revolves around the intimate relationship developing between Tony, a teenage boy from Little Italy

Little Italy

Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italians or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood.-Canada:*Little Italy, Edmonton, in Alberta*Little Italy, Montreal, in Quebec...

, and Tye, a teenage girl from Chinatown

Chinatown

A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...

, while both of their older brothers become engrossed in a heated gang war against each other. The movie has some similarities with "West Side Story"

Release

The film was released theatrically on September 25, 1987 in 193 theaters and grossed $531,362 it's opening weekend. the film grossed a domestic total of $1,262,091 and its widest release was to 193 theaters. After its theatrical run, the film was released on videocassette by Vestron Video. The film is available on region 2 DVD but has never been released on region 1 and as of January 17, 2010, Lions Gate has yet to announce any plans for a DVD release.

Cast

• Richard Panebianco as Tony
• Sari Chang as Tye
• James Russo
  James Russo
  James Vincent Russo is an American film and television actor. He has starred in over 90 films in three decades.-Early life:...
  
   as Alby
• Russell Wong
  Russell Wong
  Russell Girard Wong is an American actor and photographer, as well as the brother of actor/model Michael Wong.-Biography:...
  
   as Yung Gan
• David Caruso
  David Caruso
  David Stephen Caruso is an American film and television actor and producer, best known for his role of Lieutenant Horatio Caine on the TV series CSI: Miami. The role that gained him initial significant recognition was the role of Det...
  
   as Mercury
• Joey Chin as Tsu Shin
• Judith Malina
  Judith Malina
  Judith Malina is an American theater and film actress, writer, and director, who was one of the founders of The Living Theatre.-Early life:...
  
   as Mrs. Monte
• James Hong
  James Hong
  James Hong is an American actor and former president of the Association of Asian/Pacific American Artists . A prolific acting veteran, Hong's career spans over 50 years and includes more than 350 roles in film, television, and video games.-Early life:Hong was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His...
  
   as Gung Tu
• Robert Miano
  Robert Miano
  -Early life:Robert Miano was born in New York City and raised in the Southeast Bronx area.At the age of 15, he started a fledgling singing career when a talent agent heard him singing with a doo-wop group on a Bronx street corner...
  
   as Enrico Perito
• Paul Hipp
  Paul Hipp
  -Early years:Paul Hipp was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hipp left Pennsylvania for New York City immediately after high school, starting his career playing for tips on the streets of Greenwich Village while studying acting with Mira Rostova and at HB Studio with...
  
   as Nino
• Doreen Chan as Gau Shing
• Randy Sabusawa as Ma Fan
• Keenan Leung as Ying Tz
• Lum Chang Pan as Da Shan
• Sammy Lee
  Sammy Lee
  Sammy Lee may refer to:*Sammy Lee , expert in vitro fertilisation*Sammy Lee , Korean-American diver and two-time Olympic Games champion...
  
  as Mohawk