Thousand Pieces of Gold is based on the novel of the same name by Ruthanne Lum McCunn. The film follows Lalu (played by Rosalind Chao), a young Chinese woman who is sold into marriage by her father. However, when she arrives in America, she is instead sold to a saloon owner and forced to work as a prostitute.
Despite the harsh conditions, Lalu refuses to give up her dignity and eventually earns the respect of the townspeople by working hard and saving money. She is eventually able to buy her freedom and begins to make a life for herself as a farmer in Idaho.
The film was praised for its portrayal of a strong, independent female character and for shedding light on the struggles of Chinese immigrants in the American West. It was directed by Nancy Kelly and produced by Kenji Yamamoto.
