"Farewell My Concubine"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the 1994 Chinese film "Farewell My Concubine", which is set against a violent background of political upheavals. Beginning during China's warlord era of the 1920s, the film spans 50 years, and includes the Japanese occupation and the Cultural Revolution. In particular, the paper argues that despite its background, the central theme of the film is the love affair between the two central male characters, Duan Xiaolou and Cheng Dieyi.

From the Paper:

"It might be argued that the film is not so much about a love story as about Chinese history. After all, the film is one of the first to be bold enough to expose the "Cultural Revolution" for the fascist rampage that it really was. It also gives insight into what it was like to be an ordinary citizen during the most important historical event of the era - the establishment of the Peoples' Republic of China by Mao Zedong and his Chinese Communist Party in 1949. The film is certainly flooded with politics and traumatic events such as the Japanese occupation, and all of these events have a profound impact on the lives of the characters. However, it is argued that to the viewer the political details are much less important than the love story that takes centre stage."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chen, Kaige (Director). Farewell My Concubine. Based on a screenplay by Lillian Lee. Starring Leslie Cheung and Gong Li

More papers on "Farewell My Concubine":

• Film Review # 130007 : "Farewell My Concubine"
• Essay # 12121 : "Farewell My Concubine" by Chen Kaige"
• Essay # 74466 : "Honor in Chinese Heroes"

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