Such a rating by the Motion Picture Assosiation of America (MPAA) means Oscar-winning director Ang Lee's latest erotic espionage thriller is only appropriate for American audiences with an age of 18 and above.
The sexually explicit film is based on a short story by Eileen Chang about a shy Chinese drama student drawn into an assassination plot against a Japanese collaborator in Shanghai during World War II
The movie, starring Tony Leung and Chinese newcomer Tang Wei, premiered at the Venice Film Festival before opening in New York Sept. 28 and expanding to more U.S. markets Oct. 5.
Tang Wei, born in 1979 in Zhejiang Province, graduated from the directing department of the Central Academy of Drama in China. For her performance in the TV movie, Policewoman Yanzi, she won CCTV Movie Channel's Lily Award for best female role.
Tang Wei was picked up in 2006 by Ang Lee after beating out a handful of well-known actresses including A-list Taiwan stars Hsu Xi-yuan and Hsu Chi and Chinese mainland stars Zhou Xun and Liu Yifei.