Difference between revisions of "Farewell My Concubine"
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This was quite the movie. It is long (nearly three hours) and really grabbed hold of my emotions. I was quite drained by the end of the show. Except for a couple of scenes of nude young boys (early in the show), I don't understand the "R" rating they gave it in the US. Even the scenes of violence and abuse are fairly tame by the standards of today - perhaps it would receive a different rating today.<br/> | This was quite the movie. It is long (nearly three hours) and really grabbed hold of my emotions. I was quite drained by the end of the show. Except for a couple of scenes of nude young boys (early in the show), I don't understand the "R" rating they gave it in the US. Even the scenes of violence and abuse are fairly tame by the standards of today - perhaps it would receive a different rating today.<br/> | ||
The show has been criticized for pandering to the interests of foreigners. While I have never been to China, I am somewhat familiar with Asian society. I didn't see the movie as "sensationalizing" China so much as presenting it in a way that anyone could understand. While it helps to be a little familiar with some of the historical background, the story of these two men's relationship (even when complicated by the addition of Juxian) comes through.<br/> | The show has been criticized for pandering to the interests of foreigners. While I have never been to China, I am somewhat familiar with Asian society. I didn't see the movie as "sensationalizing" China so much as presenting it in a way that anyone could understand. While it helps to be a little familiar with some of the historical background, the story of these two men's relationship (even when complicated by the addition of Juxian) comes through.<br/> | ||
| − | This is a story of people. The setting may be a little exotic to westerners, but the story transcends the barriers of nationality. Just be aware that this movie was not made by Hollywood - some of the scenes may offend US observers. It is definitely not a movie for children to watch (I may not agree with the "R" rating- but it is most certainly a "PG 13" borderline "R" movie). Most teenagers would probably find the story line "boring" - it takes a little experience with life before you can really relate to the show.<br/> | + | This is a story of people. The setting may be a little exotic to westerners, but the story transcends the barriers of nationality. Just be aware that this movie was not made by Hollywood - some of the scenes may offend US observers. It is definitely not a movie for children to watch (I may not agree with the "R" rating- but it is most certainly a "PG 13"/borderline "R" - movie). Most teenagers would probably find the story line "boring" - it takes a little experience with life before you can really relate to the show.<br/> |
Having said that, I would recommend the show, with the above mentioned warnings. It is a powerful,beautiful and unforgettable show. | Having said that, I would recommend the show, with the above mentioned warnings. It is a powerful,beautiful and unforgettable show. | ||
Revision as of 02:23, 17 April 2013
Introduction/Movie Synopsis
Farewell My Concubine (1993) is the story of two men, Beijing Opera actors Douzi (stage name Cheng Deiyi) and Shitou (stage name Duan Xiaolou). Starting with the reunion of the two actors after 10 years separation, the movie follows their lives from childhood (when they first met), to old age. Set against the turbulent backdrop of 20th century China, the movie spans the years from the Warlord era (around the 1920s), through the Japanese colonial years and the turbulent years between the end of WWII and the rise of the Peoples Republic of China, on through the years of Mao Zedong's rule (including the Cultural Revolution) and on to the late 1970s. The movie ends where it begins- with Douzi, Shitou and the opera.
Background - The Beijing Opera
The story
The movie is based around the Beijing opera Farewell My Concubine (Chinese: 霸王别姬; pinyin: Bà Wáng Bié Jī). This opera is set at the start of the Han Dynasty, over 2000 years ago. The concubine, Consort Yu, deeply loved the King of Chu, Xiang Yu. When the Han forces prove victorious and the King is abandoned by his men, she commits suicide (out of loyalty) rather than allow herself to be captured and ravished by the invaders (further dishonoring her King). (Dolby)
Training for the Opera actors
Training for actors in the Beijing Opera is portrayed in the movie as harsh, exacting and, at times, sadistic. In reality, training was harsh and demanding. The result was the refined and skilled performances the viewers (whether royalty, invaders, the common people or oversea audiences) demanded. Students trained under contract to the teacher and, since he provided for all them while they trained, once trained, they performed for him until they repaid their debt.
Director - Chen Kaige
Biography
I was born in Beijing on August 12, 1952, the son of film director Chen Huai'ai. When I was 15, as a result of the Cultural Revolution, I was sent to Yunnan province. After a few years clearing jungle there, I joined the People's Liberation Army. Three years after leaving the army, in 1978, I started studying at the Beijing Film Academy. I graduated in 1982.
I started working in television before graduation and landed the position of assistant directors for a children's film and a couple of other movies. My first movie (and first big success) was Yellow Earth (1984). Since then I have made several movies, Farewell My Concubine being one of the most successful and well known. (Tam)
I was one of the Fifth Generation film directors, like Zang Yimou. Together my "generation" changed the film industry of China. while our early films focused on rural themes, films like Zang's Raise the Red Lantern and my own Farewell My Concubine were epic films - designed to "fit" into the international world. We introduced China...to you. We made it understandable for foreign audiences (I kind of had to because I used foreign money to make my show). For this, some have criticized us as lowering our standards solely to appeal to the Overseas audience. But I made the best movie I could. Overseas popularity, is not necessarily a bad thing. (Chiang)
Films & Awards
I made 15 movies, including Yellow Earth and Farewell My Concubine (which won the Palme d'Or at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival, in Europe, and the Golden Globe as best foreign film, in the United States.(Chiang).
Click here for further information about me.
Actors & Actress: A few facts
Leslie Cheng (Cheng Deiyi/Douzi)
I was born on September 12, 1956. I died April 1, 2003.
Between 1978 and 2002, I was part of 61 movies. I was also a highly successful singer. Farewell My concubine came in the middle of my career.
In 1991 I won Best Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards for my role in Wong Kar-wai's Days of being Wild.
Click here for a Wikipedia article about me.
Zhang Fengyi (Duan Xiaolou/Shitou)
I was born September 1, 1956. While I was in many films (I was in my first movie in 1980)and TV shows, my role in Farewell My Concubine is one of my best known.
Click here for a Wikipedia article about me.
Gong Li (Juxian)
I was born December 31, 1965, the youngest of five children. I am one of China's best known actresses. I've had roles in over 30 movies and have won many awards.
I made several films with Zang Yimou - Farewell My Concubine was my first major movie with a different director.
In 2006, I was voted the most beautiful woman in China.(China Daily)
Click here for more information about me.
Quotes that tell the story
The following quotes really told the story for me.
- (Shitou)"With a sword like this, the King of Chu would have won." (Douzi)"I want you to have a sword like this some day." - They were kids when the two first saw this sword, a real sword - not a prop, in the home of a former Qing Dynasty official. The sword has a major role in this film. Even at this early stage of their relationship, the attachment of Douzi to Shitou is evident, the sword comes to symbolize his feelings for Shitou.
- (Shitou)"I play a fake King, but you are really the concubine" - No longer boys, Shitou is moving on in life, but Douzi is locked into his role. Even when he is not on stage, he is in character. Douzi never seems able to move past his role as the concubine to the king, and the king is always Shitou.
- (Yuan Shiqing)"A sword is the classic gift between the most intimate of friends..." - Heartbroken by Shitou's betrothal to Juxian, Douzi does what he must to obtain the sword Shitou wanted, long ago when they were young.
- (Yuan Shiquing)"Don't! That is a real sword!" - Douzi uses the sword as he would the prop sword from the opera. Yuan Shiqing is afraid that he will accidentally kill himself (foreshadowing the final scene of the movie).
- (Shitou)"What do I want with a sword?" - Still reeling from his "visit" with Yuan Shiqing, Douzi brings the sword, obtained at such great price, to Shitou's engagement party and gives it to him as a gift. Shitou's response cuts him to the quick.
- (Douzi)"Why must the concubine always die?" - To me this summed up the entire show. Douzi is locked into his role as the concubine. He can never free himself of it. Consumed by his devotion and love for Shitou, he is constantly sacrificing himself, his pride, his wants - everything he is. Ultimately, he really does die. Talk about your unrequited loves!
Comments by students in the class
by Licia Kim April 15, 2013
This was quite the movie. It is long (nearly three hours) and really grabbed hold of my emotions. I was quite drained by the end of the show. Except for a couple of scenes of nude young boys (early in the show), I don't understand the "R" rating they gave it in the US. Even the scenes of violence and abuse are fairly tame by the standards of today - perhaps it would receive a different rating today.
The show has been criticized for pandering to the interests of foreigners. While I have never been to China, I am somewhat familiar with Asian society. I didn't see the movie as "sensationalizing" China so much as presenting it in a way that anyone could understand. While it helps to be a little familiar with some of the historical background, the story of these two men's relationship (even when complicated by the addition of Juxian) comes through.
This is a story of people. The setting may be a little exotic to westerners, but the story transcends the barriers of nationality. Just be aware that this movie was not made by Hollywood - some of the scenes may offend US observers. It is definitely not a movie for children to watch (I may not agree with the "R" rating- but it is most certainly a "PG 13"/borderline "R" - movie). Most teenagers would probably find the story line "boring" - it takes a little experience with life before you can really relate to the show.
Having said that, I would recommend the show, with the above mentioned warnings. It is a powerful,beautiful and unforgettable show.
References
Chiang, Chih-Yun. "Representing Chineseness in Globalized Cultural Production" http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Representing+Chineseness+in+globalized+cultural+production%3A+Chen...-a0249137213
Dolby, William. Eight Chinese Plays from the Thirteenth Century to the Present (London: P. Elek; New York: Columbia University Press, 1978).
Tam,Kwok-kan & Wimal Dissanayake. New Chinese Cinema, 1998 (Chapter 2)
^ "Gong Li voted China's Most Beautiful Person". China Daily. 23 May 2006.