As is theatre, such is life.

[smoo_001]

I just saw 'Farewell my Concubine'. Wow. Just... wow. Sexually charged, visually breathtaking, tragic both in concept and its historical backdrop and influences and just an overall feast for all the senses. Everyone, EVERYONE who hasn't seen this absolutely must. I'm still processing it, but wow, what an experience. Deserving of every single

Comments

[vinagrette]

Oooh. I read the book but have never seen the film...Now may have to :D

[smoo_001]

Oh you must. I've never read the book, but the role of Deiyi/Douzi is played to absolute, heart-rending perfection by Leslie Cheung.

[shaychana]

i have so much respect for that man's talents. it was such a shock to hear that he'd committed suicide.:\

[smoo_001]

I didn't know until I ran a search on him. If you like him, this movie is definitely for you. Every movement he makes, every expression is absolutely entrancing. When they say his character walks the line between male and female, they weren't kidding.

[shaychana]

oh, i know. i grew up on his movies and music, and it's pretty fucking awesome that he was doing the whole sexuality mindfuck thing even before he came out. you might like he's a woman, she's a man (fluffy comedy) or happy together (very depressing drama) - they're other gay-themed movies he did.

[smoo_001]

Thanks for the recs. Happy together looks very interesting - I'm on an angst kick lately. He looks so young too, considering he was born in '56, he woulda been 41 or so years old when that movie came out.
Do you know why he offed himself?

[shaychana]

presumably depression.

[smoo_001]

It's so sad. Having battled it myself not too long ago, albeit more successfully, I can fully attest to how hard it can be. Just waking up, getting through a morning without bursting into tears, or wanting to curl up in a little ball in bed and never wake up.