At the dawn of a new century, America is falling in love with silent movies. Wong Liu Tsong and her sister, daughters of Chinese immigrants who own a laundry, are taunted and bullied for their Chinese heritage. Determined to become an actress, Wong Liu has already chosen a stage name: Anna May Wong. Defying her disapproving father and her Chinese traditional upbringing will hold emotional and physical consequences. Her first taste of Hollywood fame starring opposite Douglas Fairbanks in The Thief of Bagdad isn't enough to overcome the racism that relegates her to supporting roles as a helpless, exotic butterfly or a vicious, murderous dragon lady.