The Emperor's Shadow
I remember watching this Chinese movie on SBS back in my final year of uni. I'm pretty sure it was listed by SBS as "Son of Heaven". For ages I was trying to look it up under the name of "Son of Heaven" but to no avail. Although I do recall it being listed under another name on a few web sites.
It's about the rocky friendship between two men, Ying Zheng and Gao Jianli. Ying Zheng was the man who would become the first Emperor of China and Gao Jianli was his childhood friend, whom if memory serves me correct was the son of his wet nurse. Ying Zheng prior to becoming Emperor of China was the King of Qin, one of several Chinese kingdoms vying for supremacy during the Warring States era.
Whilst in the midst of conquering the rival kingdoms the King is after an anthem for the his subjects that will drive them onwards in his conquests. Gao Jianli becomes his captive during the King's conquest of Gao Jianli's native kingdom of Yan. As Gao Jianli is a talented music the King instructs him to compose this anthem.
The story revolves around the struggle between the two men as Gao Jianli harbours a hatred of the King's rule. However the bond of friendship between the two men is deep and both men are torn between their political convictions and their old friendship. Gao Jianli constantly pushes the temper of the King with disastrous results.
Whilst the story is a fictional account, the people and events in the movie are for the most part historical. The movie captures the Warring States era with the scenery, costumes and props all gelling well. Ying Zheng is portrayed in a realistic manner as a person with love for those close to him yet also capable of evil and with conviction.
The movie is a great work of historical fiction with an accurate background allowing for an intriguing tale to be told. Unlike more recent Chinese films of historical fiction it has a good depth to it and explores some important ideas. The main idea of art being able to influence people and government being unable to control artistic expression is as relevant in our increasingly interconnected and homogenous as it was back in an age of conquest and totalitarianism. A movie well worth its big, for a Chinese film back in 1996, budget and some of our attention.
It's about the rocky friendship between two men, Ying Zheng and Gao Jianli. Ying Zheng was the man who would become the first Emperor of China and Gao Jianli was his childhood friend, whom if memory serves me correct was the son of his wet nurse. Ying Zheng prior to becoming Emperor of China was the King of Qin, one of several Chinese kingdoms vying for supremacy during the Warring States era.
Whilst in the midst of conquering the rival kingdoms the King is after an anthem for the his subjects that will drive them onwards in his conquests. Gao Jianli becomes his captive during the King's conquest of Gao Jianli's native kingdom of Yan. As Gao Jianli is a talented music the King instructs him to compose this anthem.
The story revolves around the struggle between the two men as Gao Jianli harbours a hatred of the King's rule. However the bond of friendship between the two men is deep and both men are torn between their political convictions and their old friendship. Gao Jianli constantly pushes the temper of the King with disastrous results.
Whilst the story is a fictional account, the people and events in the movie are for the most part historical. The movie captures the Warring States era with the scenery, costumes and props all gelling well. Ying Zheng is portrayed in a realistic manner as a person with love for those close to him yet also capable of evil and with conviction.
The movie is a great work of historical fiction with an accurate background allowing for an intriguing tale to be told. Unlike more recent Chinese films of historical fiction it has a good depth to it and explores some important ideas. The main idea of art being able to influence people and government being unable to control artistic expression is as relevant in our increasingly interconnected and homogenous as it was back in an age of conquest and totalitarianism. A movie well worth its big, for a Chinese film back in 1996, budget and some of our attention.
Labels: movies
posted by Forrest Rivers at 21:47
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home