East Palace, West Palace
East Palace, West Palace (Dong gong xi gong) is a 1996 Chinese film directed by Zhang Yuan starring Hu Jun and Si Han and based on a short story by the cult writer Wang Xiaobo. It is also known as Behind the Forbidden City or Behind the Palace Gates.[1]
| East Palace, West Palace | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Traditional | 東宮西宮 |
| Simplified | 东宫西宫 |
| Mandarin | Dōng Gōng Xī Gōng |
| Directed by | Zhang Yuan |
| Produced by | Christophe Jung Christophe Ménager Zhang Yuan Willy Tsao |
| Written by | Wang Xiaobo Zhang Yuan |
| Starring | Si Han Hu Jun Zhao Wei |
| Music by | Xiang Min |
| Cinematography | Zhang Jian |
| Edited by | Vincent Lévy |
| Distributed by | Fortissimo Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | China |
| Language | Mandarin |
East Palace, West Palace is the first Mainland Chinese movie with an explicitly homosexual theme.[2] The title of the movie derives from the two parks near the Forbidden City — the East Palace and the West Palace. The two parks, specifically their public washrooms, are notorious for being places of congregation for the homosexuals in Beijing during the night.[3]
The film was shot in the spring of 1996, when it was smuggled out of China for post-production in France.[2] It premiered at the Mar del Plata Film Festival in Argentina in November 1996 and at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival as part of the Un Certain Regard competition.[4][5]
Plot
In China, homosexuality isn't illegal, but homosexuals are routinely persecuted by police and arrested for "hooliganism". The film focuses on a young gay writer called A-Lan who, being attracted to a young policeman named Xiao Shi, manages to have himself arrested and interrogated for a whole night. His life-story which he tells during the interrogation reflects the general repression of the Chinese society. Xiao Shi's attitude shifts from the initial revulsion to fascination and, finally, to attraction.
Cast
See also
- Homosexuality in China
- Farewell My Concubine (1993) by Chen Kaige, a story about two stars in a Peking opera troupe, set in mid-20th Century Beijing
- Men and Women (1999) by Liu Bingjian, a story of love resisted and love regained
- Lan Yu (2001) by Stanley Kwan, a story set in modern Beijing with homosexual themes
- Star Appeal (2004) by Cui Zi'en, a gay science-fiction film
- My Fair Son (2005) by Cui Zi'en, a story of a teenage boy in love with an older man
- Spring Fever (2009) by Lou Ye, a story of a love triangle between three young adults
- Bad Romance (2011) by François Chang, a story of the affairs of several young couples in modern Beijing, based on the lyrics of the Lady Gaga song
References
- Van Gelder, Lawrence. "Movies - East Palace, West Palace (1997)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- Elley, Derek (1997-05-18). "East Palace, West Palace Review". Variety. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- Spencer, Charles (20 February 2009). "An erotic relationship of convenience". The Telegraph. London.
- "Festival de Cannes: East Palace, West Palace". festival-cannes.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
- Elley, Derek (1997-05-18). "East Palace, West Palace Review". Variety. Retrieved 2008-10-24. and IMDB.com article on release dates.