# The Goddess (1934)

The Goddess is a 1934 Chinese silent film directed by Wu Yonggang, featuring Ruan Lingyu in one of her most notable roles. It tells the poignant story of a single mother who works as a streetwalker to provide for her young son amidst the social injustices of 1930s Shanghai. The film follows an unnamed woman who leads a double life: a devoted mother by day and a prostitute by night. She faces numerous challenges, including exploitation by a local gangster who claims her as his property. Despite her struggles, she strives to secure a better future for her son, ultimately facing tragic consequences. Set during a tumultuous period in China, The Goddess reflects the harsh realities faced by many women at the time. The film highlights the societal stigma surrounding prostitution and the sacrifices made by women to support their families. Ruan Lingyu's portrayal of the "Goddess" humanizes the struggles of women in similar situations. The Goddess is celebrated as one of the best-known films from China's cinematic golden age. It has been recognized as one of China's top 100 films and continues to be studied for its artistic and cultural significance. The film's themes of sacrifice and resilience resonate with audiences, making it a timeless classic in Chinese cinema.

- Kind: Feature
- Year: 1934
- By: Wu Yonggang
- Genres: Drama, Silent
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/the.-goddess.-1934)
- Licence or status: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (as the archive states it)
- Who can watch: Adult profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

Not offered: what its record states (its uploader's public-domain mark, or a licence not shown to be its rights holder's) leaves its US term to decide, and it is dated 1934; under US law a work of that year is free only on facts the site does not hold for it (its US renewal records, or its own country's term on 1 January 1996 for a work published abroad), and otherwise its US term runs to the end of 2029. Unclear is not offered.