The Jade Pendant is a 2017 American Western film directed by Leong Po-Chih and starring Godfrey Gao as Tom Wong, Clara Lee as Peony, following a tragic love story leading to the largest mass lynching in American history, of 19 Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles' Chinatown, in 1871.
[1] A tragic love story Follows the journey of a young girl and lead character in the film Peony (Clara Lee), who, fleeing an arranged marriage in China, is tricked into signing a contract to work as a "flower girl" in America, with her friend Lily (Nina Lu).
[2] Throughout the film, Peony is wearing a circular disk green jade pendant, which was a gift from her grandmother to bring her luck and protection.
[3] Not all is blissful though, as Hong Kong Triad boss Yu Hing (Tzi Ma) seeks to extend his power into America, is fixated on obtaining Peony for his own needs.
The bigger Hollywood studios initially rejected the idea of a western with a cast of predominantly Asian descent, which would only be acceptable in a kung-fu movie.