The story happened in shanghai in 1930 which was a turbulent period. It tells several young men's experience and love story, who had different personalities and social class respectively .Zhang Ziyi acted a underground party member who fell in loved with a Japanese. Because of revolutionary career ,she had to choose to give up love.
Purple butterfly tell us a spirit girl's revenge story which happened at "shanghai tan" at 1930's ectally. In fact , it talk about a topic of loyalty or betrayal of humanity. A man whatever he takes any work or career, must keep his faith and inflexible personality. The hostess who acted by Zhang Ziyi was a leader of a murder organization .she had a heavy task of revenge for her death boyfriend and she was inflexible and bravery for her career. Purple butterfly had a misery end. All of tasks almost ended by death. The spirit girl who acted by Zhang Ziyi was killed in the last murder action ,but she safeguarded her dignity.