Curse of the Golden Flower [Movie]

Hong Kong/China, 2006
U.S. Release Date: 12/22/06 (limited)
Running Length: 1:58
MPAA Classification: R (Violence)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 

Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Gong Li, Jay Chou, Lie Ye, Chen Jin, Ni Dahong, Li Man, Qin Junjie
Director: Zhang Yimou
Screenplay: Zhang Yimou, Wu Nan, Bian Zhihong
Cinematography: Zhao Xiaoding
Music: Shigeru Umebayashi
U.S. Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
In Mandarin with subtitles 

 LdT's rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Short summary

The story is set in China, more than 1000 years ago, at the time of the Tang-Dynasty.

When Prince Jie (Jay Chou) returned unexpectedly, from a military force deployment, to the Imperial Residence, he noticed something dubious is going on within the walls of the Palace.

In his absence, all kinds of forbidden desirousness have been aroused; secret bonds of love established and ominous alliances conspired.

While the Emperor (Chow Yun Fat) makes arrangements, ordering the Imperial Doctor (Ni Dahong) to find an exotic drug that will drive the Empress (Gong Li) insane and administers it to her without her knowledge, the Empress herself also tries to actuate a scheming conspiracy against her husband.

And also Crown Prince Xiang (Liu Ye) and the youngest Prince Cheng (Qin Junjie) are entrapped in this complex network of love, jealousy, eagerness for power and hatred… 

About the film

“Curse of the Golden Flower” is the latest movie of the famous Asian Movie Director Zhang Yimou. Revealing his third action movie, it became a great success after “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers”.

The story plays in China in the Tang-Dynasty, when people usually show all what they possess and where a corrupt government rules the Empire.

It is a dark story about the Emperor’s family which also reflects the society from back then. It was a time when the country was a man-dominated dictatorship.

All these historical facts are well-processed by Director Zhang Yimou:

The palace and its colourful walls, pillars, decorations and all the gold represent the luxury and power of the royal family.

The man-dominated society affects especially the Empress, who is the daughter of the former Emperor. The marriage between her and her husband was not for love but serves him to gain power and become the next Emperor as woman were not allowed to take a reigning position.

Though the Empress is full of hatred, still the viewer can feel sympathy for her because she knows of the toxic in her medicine but cannot gainsay the Emperor’s order. Therefore she started a rebellion behind his back, gathering troops to murder him.

In comparison with Zhang Yimou’s other films, “Curse of the Golden Flower” is not a martial arts film like “Hero” or “House of Flying Daggers” despite a sword fighting scene at the beginning between Prince Jie and the Emperor, and the final battle sequence at the end when the rebellion starts with thousands of soldiers lead by Prince Jie.

The whole film is more focused on the emotional aspects, the conflicts caused by relationships and betrayals.

The Plot

The plotting and counter-plotting within the palace walls are ‘Shakespearean’ because of the repercussions (e.g. while the battle between the troops, loyal to the Empress, led by Prince Jie versus those who are loyal to the Emperor) with a dramatic or even operatic extent.

The outcomes of the Emperor’s and Empress’s actions culminate in bloodshed on both, an epic and intimate scale.

Still, the dynasty does not break down at the end, despite a series of personal tragedies (all three sons and several other persons die, only the Emperor and the Empress are left), and the imperial power stays invulnerable, as for example, the blood from the battle is (literally and metaphorically) swept under the carpet. [At the end of the movie -> blood drunken carpets were changed fast and easily without any consideration.]

The personal statement of Director Zhang Yimou about this film is that he wanted to especially show the contrast that not everything what looks good outside is good inside. Therefore he let a Chinese proverb thread its way through the story: 

Gold and Jade on the outside, Rot and Decay on the inside.

The Choice of actors

The main actors in the film are the famous international actor Chow Yun Fat (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) in the role of the Emperor and Gong Li (“The Memoirs of a Geisha”), the most revered actress in all of Asia and also Zhang Yimou’s former muse, as the Empress.

Also well-known is the actor in the role of the second Prince Jie, the hero of this movie, famous Chinese pop singer Jay Chou, who starts his career in acting after his successful debut in the music business.

The other actors have been famous Chinese actors playing in lots of Asian films despite of Qin Junjie (the youngest Prince Cheng) who was still a student at that time but still did a great job between all these professionals

The film production

The productions for the film “Curse of the Golden Flower” began in early 2006.

Director Zhang Yimou let the whole palace rebuild and made it the largest set ever in China.

The interior palace was built in the Beijing Studios. It is an enormous set which recreates the opulence and glamour of an ancient imperial household.

Additionally, the Director focused on the special use of colour and light. The walls and pillars are extra manufactured work as well as the coloured window, which are made out of Chinese art glass.

Another aspect, which draws the viewer’s attention to, is the equally elaborated and hand-made costumes, designed by Costume Designer Yee Chung Man and his team of talented artisans.

The most extravagant and outstanding costumes are, the Emperor’s ‘Dragon Robe’ and the Empress’s ‘Phoenix Gown’.

There were 40 persons and more than 2 months of time needed to finish these unique manual (art) works.

Every accessory has been worked out in detail e.g. the ‘Dragon Crown’ is a replica of a Tang-Dynasty crown, and the ‘Phoenix Crown’ with all its components weight more than 12 pounds (~5kg). Some other costumes weight more than 40 kg and thus it took a lot of time putting the actors into their dresses and getting them ready for the stage. However it needed 4 hours to put on only Gong Li’s make up.

Most impressive in the movie is the battle scene, when the thousands of golden soldiers (all wearing a handkerchief with a golden Chrysanthemum) follow Prince Jie, fighting against the silver armoured soldiers of the Emperor. To stage this battle sequence, it took the Director Z. Yimou 20 days and more than 1000 real soldiers who were put at his disposal by the Chinese National Army. On top of that, Action Director Tony Ching Siu-Tung assures that the action of the complete film is held real, that means no fantasy elements, despite of the brilliant stage, the outstanding costumes and the dramatic story.

The action is to show the character and only to emphasize the story.

With this statement of the Director Zhang Yimou, he gave his new film, in contrast to his usual action films, a new touch.

Recommendation  

The film is a must-see for all Asian fans who’re interested in Chinese history and culture. It’s also a recommendation for art lovers and a bit of action and Chinese martial arts is included for sure. Though Chinese actor Chow Yun Fat had problems with all the Mandarin during the filming (because he speaks Cantonese), it wasn’t even noticeable in the official release of the movie. And also Jay Chou who is still new in the film business, succeeded to fight against his nervousness while acting together with superstar Gong Li.

With Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li, the main roles of “Curse of the Golden Flower” are excellent filled out and have their intended effect in this dramatic and complex story. 

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