Portland Public Library

Bawang bie ji, Farewell my concubine, Miramax International presents ; in association with Maverick Picture Company and Tomson (Hong Kong) Films Co., Ltd. ; screenplay by Lilian Lee & Lu Wei ; producer, Hsu Feng ; directed by Chen Kaige

chi

videorecording

MPAA rating: R for language and strong depiction of thematic material

Bawang bie ji

43399365

Miramax International presents ; in association with Maverick Picture Company and Tomson (Hong Kong) Films Co., Ltd. ; screenplay by Lilian Lee & Lu Wei ; producer, Hsu Feng ; directed by Chen Kaige

172

Miramax classics

Farewell my concubine

This tale spans 50 years--from 1925 to 1977--a story at once that of individuals and of the history of China. Two young orphan boys are in the Peking Opera's perfectionist training academy. Eventually, Dieyi is assigned the role of the concubine in the famous traditional opera of the film's title, while Xiaolou will play the king. They are locked into these roles onstage, while their personal relationship somehow survives the upheavals of World War II, the communist takeover of China and the Cultural Revolution. Dieyi is livid when Xiaolou marries Juxian, who spends her life at the mercy of two men whose work together has defined their individual personalities

Opening credits -- From the brothel -- By nature a boy -- Price of fame -- Performing for Zhang -- Determined fate -- Master Yuan -- Special day -- Engaged woman -- Most intimate friends -- To save Ziaolou -- Forget the opera -- Old master -- Show of force -- Cheng's trial -- People's anger -- Modern opera -- Out with the old society -- Betrayal -- Farewell -- End credits

adult

live action

Farewell my concubine