Farewell My Concubine
"Farewell My Concubine" is a domestic literary film directed by Chen Kaige, starring Leslie Cheung, Gong Li, and Zhang Fengyi. The film mainly tells the joys and sorrows of two Peking opera actors for half a century. At the same time, they also think and understand traditional culture, human living conditions and human nature.
Farewell My Concubine
In fact, "Farewell My Concubine" is also called "Ambush on Ten Sides". It is one of the classic works of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang. The protagonist is the Western Chu Overlord Xiang Yu and his concubine Yu Ji. The origin of this play is also quite legendary. According to legend, during the struggle between Chu and Han, Han Xin ordered Li Zuoche to deceive Xiang Yu, and Xiang Yu entered the army. Ambush on all sides of Jiuli Mountain, trapping Xiang Yu in Gaixia. Xiang Yu couldn't break through, and was embarrassed on all sides. Suspecting that the Chu army had all come to the Han, he had to drink goodbye with Yu Ji in the camp. Yu Ji squatted herself, Xiang Yu broke the siege, lost her way, and arrived at Wujiang, feeling faceless to see the Jiangdong elders and cuddling from the riverside. It is precisely because of this that Mei Lanfang was inspired to create this play.
Farewell My Concubine
In the movie, Director Chen uses a large number of layers to show Peking opera in the plot, and depicts the stage sense of Peking opera. The emergence of Peking opera is not only the need of the plot, but also clarifies the truth of life as a play. , Especially for Cheng Dieyi, he is both Cheng Dieyi and Leslie Cheung. It seems that there is no drama in his life, and it seems that there are all dramas. This may be the so-called non-discrimination of human drama.
Farewell My Concubine
It is of course inseparable from Director Chen to shoot such an excellent work. As one of the representative figures of the fifth generation of directors in China, he has shot many excellent films, such as: "The Yellow Land" in 1984 ", the costume film "Orphan of Zhao" in 2010 and the suspense film "The Legend of the Demon Cat" in 2016, etc. Director Chen not only selected actors with unique vision, but also had a vicious vision for choosing a wife. Chen Hong was his third term. His wife not only took care of him in life, but also gave him great help in career, so much so that even Director Chen himself said: "I am most assured of her being a producer. She is very enterprising. A very good financial planner." Chen Hong himself also said frankly: "The director always strives for perfection. I will assist him in considering issues from the perspective of the producer."
Farewell My Concubine
said so much, and finally arrived. The protagonist Leslie Leslie, this drama has completed Cheng Dieyi, and even Leslie Cheung. It is said that Leslie Cheung's acting skills shocked a lot of people when he was on the filming site. With a smile, his gestures looked like an old actor, and some even joked: You are such a fairy. Leslie Cheung is also very satisfied with his acting skills. Although he has made many movies, Leslie Cheung still likes himself in this movie the most, and even regards it as his masterpiece.
Farewell My Concubine
In fact, there was an episode in the selection process of Director Chen. When he met Leslie Cheung for the first time, the original script had not yet been fully determined. There was only a general outline. The place where the two met was Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong (this is also the hotel where Leslie Cheung committed suicide by jumping off the building). Director Chen was telling the story, and Leslie Cheung had been listening quietly. When the story was finished, and watching Leslie Cheung’s demeanor, words and deeds, Director Chen suddenly decided that this was the prototype of Cheng Dieyi, and Leslie Cheung was also very excited. Holding Director Chen's hand tightly: "Thank you for telling me the story. I am Cheng Dieyi."
Farewell My Concubine
only knows the life in the play because of the experience. The whole movie was filmed with a group of children first. Leslie Cheung would watch this group of childish children acting when he had time, especially the young Cheng Dieyi really seemed to have her own shadow on his body. Because there is such a fragment in the movie, the young Cheng Dieyi escaped from the theater and turned back. As punishment, Master Guan slapped him hard on the face 19 times. Even though the gums were bleeding, the child remained motionless. Seeing this scene, Leslie Cheung was somewhat moved, and immediately found the child, held him and took a group photo. This scene happened to be seen by Director Chen. At this time, he realized that Leslie Cheung saw this boy as his own childhood. He wanted to truly appreciate how much he suffered in childhood. Only in this way can he perform the most authentic performance. Cheng Dieyi.
Farewell My Concubine
Another thing that impressed Director Chen very deeply is that during the filming process, Leslie Cheung became more and more silent, less talkative, and even reached the point of spiritual meditation. According to Director Chen, after the filming was completed, he had a dreamWearing a white gown, Leslie Cheung said to Director Chen: Goodbye from now on. Although it was a dream, Director Chen shed tears after waking up. At that time, it was more than ten years before Leslie Cheung passed away, but this dream seemed to be Foreshadowed something the same.
Farewell My Concubine
In reality, Cheng Dieyi and Leslie Cheung in the play had no plans to escape the fate. In the end, he ended the lives of the two people in a self-determined way.
Farewell My Concubine
Finally, I hope that domestic films will get better and better and move to the forefront of the world.
