A decadent journey of desire and obedience unfolds in a brothel at the edge of colonial China.
FRUITS OF PASSION
The story of "O" continues in the Orient.
A girl loves a rich and much older man and is willing to do everything he wants to show her love, but he is playing a sick game with her. As part of this game he sends her to a Chinese brothel. A poor young boy sees her and falls in love with her. To get the money needed to sleep with her, he joins "the revolution". Additionally the movie shows the fate of some of the other prostitutes.
Quick Answer
Fruits of Passion is a 1981 Japan-France drama film directed by Shūji Terayama about a young woman, O, sent by her lover to a Chinese brothel to prove her loyalty, set against the backdrop of a coolie rebellion.
Programmer's Pick
Fruits of Passion takes the transgressive romance of Story of O and gives it a smoky, fever-dream makeover in 1930s China, layering in brothel rituals, class rebellion, and a healthy dose of surreal eroticism. Klaus Kinski broods, while Isabelle Illiers submits—with the film never shying away from its taboo pleasures or the complexities of desire.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Shūji Terayama
- Writers
- Dominique Aury, Shūji Terayama, Rio Kishida
- Release
- 1981
- Runtime
- 1h 23m
- Country
- Japan, France
- Language
- Japanese, English
- Genres
- Drama
- Also Known As
- Fruits Of Passion, Story of O Continues, Original title: Les fruits de la passion
Why This Matters
This French-Japanese co-production directed by Shūji Terayama adapts Anne Desclos's Retour à Roissy, serving as a sequel to Story of O, and features Klaus Kinski amid a backdrop that intertwines erotic narrative with political unrest in southern China.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
The film places the notorious O in a sultry Chinese brothel, exploring submission and domination against a backdrop of colonial intrigue.
Kinski channels cold authority as Sir Stephen, orchestrating O’s ordeal—his enigmatic presence is both unsettling and magnetic.
From painted nipples to elaborate brothel tableaux, the film mixes explicit eroticism with dreamlike visuals and perverse rituals.
Amidst the decadent games, a subplot involving rebellion and class struggle simmers beneath the surface, adding a political edge.
Scene Gallery
Questions from the Vault
When was Fruits of Passion released? +
Fruits of Passion was released in 1981.
Who directed Fruits of Passion? +
Fruits of Passion was directed by Shūji Terayama.
How long is Fruits of Passion? +
Fruits of Passion has a runtime of 83 minutes.
What genre is Fruits of Passion? +
Fruits of Passion is a drama film.
Where can I watch Fruits of Passion? +
You can watch Fruits of Passion on SassyFlix.
