The Goddess (1934 film)

The Goddess Chinese pinyin Shnn is a 1934 Chinese silent film released by the Lianhua Film Company United Photoplay. It starred Ruan Lingyu in one of her final roles, and was directed by Wu Yonggang.

A nevernamed young woman Ruan Lingyu works as a prostitute to support herself and her baby son Shuiping. One night, fleeing from a police street sweep, she hides in the room of a gambler named Zhang Zhang Zhizhi. When he suggests she stay the night with him for not betraying her to the police, she agrees. Later, however, he and two of his pals show up at her place. He makes it clear that he considers her his property. The woman attempts to flee, but Zhang tracks her down and frightens her by claiming to have sold Shuiping to punish her. Zhang returns the child, but he has made his point she realizes she cannot protect her son from him and gives in. However, she manages to hide some of her earnings behind a loose brick in her wall.When Shuiping is aboutor 6, she enrolls him in a school. Soon, however, the other parents learn that Shuipings mother is a prostitute, and complain to the school. The old principal visits the mother to find out if there is any truth to the accusations. She admits she is a prostitute, but upon seeing her genuine love of her child, the principal realizes that he cannot penalize Shuiping for his mothers unfortunate situation. However, he is unable to persuade the rest of the staff to be lenient, so he resigns and Shuiping is expelled. ........

Source: Wikipedia