ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

THE SPECTACULAR ‘Curse Of The Golden Flower’ (Man cheng jin dai huang jin jia) is the concluding film in director Zhang Yimou’s ‘wushu’ trilogy.

Following on from ‘House Of Flying Daggers’ and ‘Hero’, it is a much darker and more oppressive film. It feels like a mixture of grand opera and Jacobean tragedy as we are transported to the imperial palace in tenth century China and an intense saga of intrigue, backstabbing and betrayal.

Returning home after a long absence, Emperor Ping (Chow Yun-fat) is edging closer to a decision on his successor. The obvious choice is his eldest son Crown Prince Wan (Ye Liu) but he would rather flee the palace with the servant girl he loves.

There is also the matter of the Crown Prince’s sexual entanglement with his scheming stepmother, Empress Phoenix (Gong Li), who is being slowly poisoned by her heartless husband.

Everything about ‘Curse Of The Golden Flower’ is over-the-top, from the opulent setting to the melodramatic performances and raw emotions. On a visual level it is rarely less than astonishing, almost as if the Imperial Palace will go to the most lavish lengths to try and conceal the moral decay that is eating away at the soul of the Royal family.

The action sequences are equally eye-catching, especially during a bloodthirsty climax which takes place during the Festival Of The Chrysanthemums.

Zhang Yimou claims that this is his farewell to the historical epics that have won him international recognition. If that is the case, he couldn’t have chosen a more dazzling last hurrah.

Selected nationwide release

Director: Zhang Yimou
Stars: Chow Yun Fat, Gong Li, Chou Jay, Ye Liu, Wi Dahong, Qin Junjie, Li Man.
Screenwriters: Zhang Yimou based on the play by Yu Cao
Certificate: 15
Running time: 114 mins
Country: China
Year: 2006

© Allan Hunter, 2007