Cinema
The Emperor's Shadow
秦頌
Zhou Xiaowen · 1996
Synopsis
As a child, Ying Zheng, the future first emperor, then a hostage in the kingdom of Zhao, was fed by the mother of the musician Gao Jianli, and the two boys grew up together. Years later, having become king of Qin, he conquers the kingdom of Yan, where Gao Jianli is a court musician; he has him seized, branded on the forehead, and demands from him an anthem for the state he is unifying. Gao refuses to place his art at the service of power. Charged with teaching music to Princess Yueyang, already promised to a general's son, he falls in love with her.
Context
The film was produced by the Xi'an studio and the company Ocean Film, on a screenplay by Lu Wei, with music by Zhao Jiping; Jiang Wen plays the emperor, Ge You the musician. It is said to have been the most expensive Chinese film of its time. Presented in Beijing on 7 June 1996, it was banned for no clear reason after its release in five major cities, then released again eight months later. A 1996 review saw in it a study of the way power seeks cultural legitimacy and of how art resists it.
Who it is for
A historical epic of nearly two hours, in Mandarin; no French release is on record.
Prizes and reception
It was selected for the official competition at the San Sebastián festival in 1996, then distributed in the United States by Fox Lorber.
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