The Home Song Stories (2007): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2007, The Home Song Stories is a drama film directed by Tony Ayres, running about 103 minutes. “Every Family Has a Story to Hide” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Tom, now in his 40s, begins to write the memoirs of his 1960s childhood, as the little boy whose mother Rose was a glamorous Shanghai nightclub singer. When Rose meets Aussie sailor Bill, they are quickly married, and she packs up Tom and his older sister May to head for Melbourne. The marriage just as quickly breaks up and Rose moves with the kids to Sydney. After a succession of male friends and little success, in 1971 Rose moves back to Melbourne, in an uncomfortable arrangement living again with Bill – and his mother. With Bill called away to sea, Rose takes up with young Chinese cook Joe, but despair and conflicts over May's relationship with Joe tear the family further apart. Little Tom is deeply hurt, but May's ongoing conflict with her mother takes a respite when Rose tells her daughter about her traumatic teenage years.

Who’s in it. The Home Song Stories stars Joan Chen as Rose Hong / Hong Meigui, Qi Yuwu as Joe, Joel Lok as Tom and Irene Chen as May, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.9/10, The Home Song Stories has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Home Song Stories page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Home Song Stories tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.