Rent Farewell My Concubine (1993)
4.0 of 5 from 144 ratings
2h 51min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Based on the best-selling novel by Lilian Lee, "Farewell My Concubine" is an epic exploration of art, friendship and betrayal. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of more than fifty years of Chinese history, the film charts the relationship between Cheng (Leslie Cheung) and Duan (Zhang Fengyi), two stars in the Peking Opera troupe, and the woman who comes between them. Chen Kaige's sumptuous and moving epic holds an important place in the history of Chinese-language cinema.
- Actors:
- Leslie Cheung, Fengyi Zhang, Li Gong, Qi Lü, Da Ying, You Ge, Chun Li, Han Lei, Di Tong, Mingwei Ma, Yang Fei, Zhi Yin, Hailong Zhao, Dan Li, Wenli Jiang, Yitong Zhi, David Wu, Qing Xu
- Directors:
- Kaige Chen
- Producers:
- Feng Hsu
- Writers:
- Pik Wah Lee, Wei Lu
- Others:
- Chen Kaige, Hsu Feng, Gu Changwei
- Aka:
- Ba Wang Bie Ji
- Studio:
- BFI Video
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama, Romance
- Collections:
- A Brief History of Classical Music on Film - Musicians, A World of Difference: A History of Gay Cinema, Drama Films & TV, A Brief History of Film..., Top 10 Cannes Palme d'Or Winners, Top Films
- Countries:
- China
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 21/03/2016
- Run Time:
- 171 minutes
- Languages:
- Mandarin LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- The Making of 'Farewell My Concubine' (2003, 24 mins): documentary charting the making of the film, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and the director
More like Farewell My Concubine
Reviews (1) of Farewell My Concubine
Opera House, Open Wounds - Farewell My Concubine review by griggs
I expected a big, prestigious epic. What I didn’t expect was how personal it feels — like history isn’t a backdrop, it’s something that leans in close and refuses to let you breathe.
It starts at the Peking Opera Academy with poverty, bruises, and zero nostalgia for the “good old days”. From there it moves through war and occupation without turning into homework. The real damage comes later, in the Communist era: loyalty theatre, convenient lies, and betrayals that feel both petty and lethal. New bosses, same cruelty, different slogans.
And it looks stunning — the 4K restoration is genuinely glorious, all rich colour, crisp detail, and stage-lit faces that seem carved out of shadow. The operatic style really sings, especially when the Cultural Revolution turns art into tinder. My only gripe is it feels a bit coy about the queer heart of the story — Dieyi’s desire gets softened when it should sting. Even so, it lands hard, and it lingers.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.