Farewell My Concubine (film)

Lore & Background

Young Douzi, abandoned by his prostitute mother, trains as a dan (female role) and later becomes Cheng Dieyi, while his friend Shitou becomes Duan Xiaolou. Their signature performance is the play Farewell My Concubine, and Dieyi harbors unrequited love for Xiaolou. After Xiaolou marries Juxian, a former prostitute, the emotional conflict deepens. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Dieyi performs for the Japanese to secure Xiaolou's release, leading to treason charges. Under communist rule, Dieyi's apprentice Xiao Si usurps his role, and during the Cultural Revolution, the troupe is persecuted by Red Guards. Xiaolou denounces Dieyi and Juxian under pressure, and Juxian commits suicide.

Reader's Guide

Farewell My Concubine is considered a landmark film of the Fifth Generation movement that brought Chinese directors to world attention. The film addressed themes of identity confusion, blurred lines between stage and reality, and political disturbances in 20th-century China. After its release in China, the Politburo demanded changes due to depictions of homosexuality, gender identity, a character's suicide, and the Cultural Revolution.

Did You Know?

• After its release in China, the Politburo demanded changes due to its depiction of homosexuality, gender identity, a character's suicide, and the Cultural Revolution.