Ruan Lingyu
Wu's directorial debut was received well back in 1934. Ruan Lingyu's popularity was cited as an influence, as well as the emotional appeal, with the Cultural Revolution affecting the acceptability of film content and styles. Interest in the “classic” film era for Chinese cinema returned internationally after Maggie Cheung's portrayal of Ruan Lingyu in the biopic "Center Stage" (1991), which recreates one of its scenes.