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Pleasure Factory, released in 2007, is a multi-layered and poignant drama set in Singapore. The film intertwines three storylines, each following a character involved in the sex industry. They are connected through the titular Pleasure Factory, a dingy brothel where all their paths cross. The first storyline focuses on a newly-arrived Chinese mainland girl named Lia (played by actress Jojo Goh), who has been brought to Singapore by an unscrupulous pimp. Unable to speak English, Lia is forced to work as a prostitute in the Pleasure Factory. She is naive and unprepared for the realities of life as a sex worker, and her story is a powerful exploration of exploitation and survival.

The second storyline follows the boss of the Pleasure Factory, an aging madam named Fong (played by Kuei-Mei Yang). Fong is a complex and fascinating character, fiercely protective of the girls under her care and deeply pragmatic about the realities of the sex industry. She knows that money is power, and uses her position to help the girls in her charge as much as she can, while also acknowledging that her own survival depends on the profitability of her business.

The third storyline follows a young Japanese couple, Zen (played by Ananda Everingham) and Mei (played by Zihan Loo). Zen is a shy and sensitive artist, while Mei is tough and streetwise. They are in Singapore on vacation, and find themselves drawn to the Pleasure Factory. Through Zen and Mei's eyes, we witness the strange and surreal world of the sex industry, and see the deeper humanity behind the often-seedy surface.

All three storylines are intercut with each other, building in intensity as they begin to intersect and overlap. The cinematography is lush and beautiful, with a dreamlike quality that lends the film a poetic quality. Director Ekachai Uekrongtham brings a compassionate and nuanced approach to his exploration of the sex industry, never shying away from its darker elements but also highlighting the resilience and dignity of the characters who inhabit this world.

The acting is uniformly excellent, with particular praise due to Kuei-Mei Yan as Fong. The veteran Taiwanese actress brings a depth and complexity to her portrayal of this complicated character, making her sympathetic and compelling despite her often-harsh behavior. Jojo Goh is also noteworthy as Lia, delivering a heartbreaking performance as a young girl who is trapped in a situation beyond her control.

While Pleasure Factory is focused on the sex industry, it is not a salacious or exploitative film. Rather, it is a deeply compassionate and humane portrayal of the people who work in this controversial and often-misunderstood field. It is a film that asks us to see beyond the surface-level stereotypes and recognize the humanity in everyone, no matter their circumstances.

In conclusion, Pleasure Factory is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant film that explores the complexities of the sex industry with sensitivity and insight. It is a moving and thought-provoking work of cinema that deserves to be seen by a wide audience.

Pleasure Factory is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.