 In an attempt to clear away accusations that the movie was “condoning” the suicide of New Women, the producers made a public relations show of their virtue by agreeing to screen the film at a fundraiser for a women's educational center on International Women's Day, March 8.The target of much of their ire became the suicide of the film's star, Ruan Lingyu one month after the movie premiered on March 8, the same day as the screening of the film at the women's educational center.The reception and publicity the film received was directly tied to Ruan's suicide by barbiturates.