A Thousand Pieces of Gold

A Thousand Pieces of Gold is an English-language book based on the life of Polly Bemis, a 19th century Chinese immigrant woman in the American Old West. A film version stars Rosalind Chao, Chris Cooper, Dennis Dun and Michael Paul Chan, and was directed by Nancy Kelly. The movie was based on a biographical book written by Ruthanne Lum McCunn. In a backdrop of adventure, romance and heroism, film explores the themes of slavery, racism, misogyny and harsh frontier life. It does not paint a flattering picture.