10 Must-Watch Drama Films Set in Brothels

Description: This controversial film is set in a New Orleans brothel at the turn of the 20th century, focusing on the life of a young girl raised in such an environment.

Fact: The film was directed by Louis Malle and features Brooke Shields in her first major role at the age of

Description: This epic biographical drama includes scenes in a brothel, reflecting the life of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, as he navigates through various phases of his tumultuous life.

Fact: The film won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was the first feature film ever authorized to be filmed inside the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Description: This film, based on Isabel Allende's novel, explores the lives of three generations of women in a family, with a brothel playing a significant role in their stories. It's a tale of love, politics, and the supernatural.

Fact: The film features an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, and Winona Ryder. It was also one of the last films directed by Bille August before he shifted focus to other genres.

Description: Set in 1920s China, this film follows a British couple where the wife, after an affair, is forced to accompany her husband to a cholera-stricken village, with scenes set in a brothel highlighting her past.

Fact: The film was shot in China, providing an authentic backdrop to the story. Naomi Watts and Edward Norton deliver compelling performances.

Description: While not centered around a brothel, the film includes significant scenes in a brothel, exploring themes of abuse, revenge, and justice.

Fact: Directed by David Fincher, the film features Rooney Mara in an Oscar-nominated performance as Lisbeth Salander.

Description: Set in the Old West, this film revolves around a brothel where the main character, a former outlaw, seeks redemption while working as a bouncer.

Fact: The film stars Dave Bautista, known for his wrestling career and later roles in major films like Guardians of the Galaxy.

Description: While not exclusively about a brothel, this film includes scenes where the protagonist, an auctioneer, interacts with a mysterious woman who lives in a house that was once a brothel.

Fact: The film was directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, known for "Cinema Paradiso," and stars Geoffrey Rush and Jim Sturgess.

Description: This film, while primarily about a mute woman in 19th-century New Zealand, includes brothel scenes that add depth to the narrative of sexual politics and personal freedom.

Fact: It won three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Holly Hunter and Best Supporting Actress for Anna Paquin.

Description: While primarily a musical, this film captures the essence of the Parisian brothel life through the story of a poet who falls in love with a courtesan at the Moulin Rouge cabaret.

Fact: The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won two. It's known for its innovative use of contemporary music in a period setting.

Description: This miniseries, while not a film, captures the life of a Victorian prostitute in London, offering a detailed look at the brothel environment of the era.

Fact: Based on Michel Faber's novel, it stars Romola Garai and Gillian Anderson, and was critically acclaimed for its adaptation.