The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor (1987)
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Cast: John Lone, Peter O'Toole, Joan Chen, Ying Ruocheng, Victor Wong
Within a few months will mark twenty years of the premiere of that possibly be the last great epic production of contemporary cinema. We refer to The Last Emperor, the film that rise to Bernardo Bertolucci, and most probably his masterpiece.
Bertolucci has spent years trying to shoot a film in China, and saw in the relative economic openness promoted by the government of Shia Deng Ping ( "get rich is lawful," he said) the opportunity to pursue his dream. From the outset, the Chinese leaders were in favor of bringing this project to the big screen rocambolesca and the tragic story of Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China, crowned when he was only three years old. Helped to finance the costs and provided all facilities to the production team.
The Last Emperor became the first Western movie filmed in the breathtaking Forbidden City in Peking (a few years earlier there had been filmed a documentary U.S.). The result was spectacular at all levels, achieving very good recoveries, was accepted by the criticism, and immediately became a classic. Qualities did not lack for that, of course, because the tape skate to a high level all the technical and artistic aspects, starting with the interpretations of John Lon and Joan Chen (who is "placed" in Hollywood because of its involvement in the shooting ), And ending with the beautiful score three bands signed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne and Cong Su. But without doubt the best is always in the photograph of the great Vittorio Storaro, whose work will be primorosamente shot scenes, as the coronation of Puyi, or the whole party that takes place in Manchukuo. The latter is perhaps the best of the footage and its atmosphere, dark and oppressive, it helps to reinforce the image of that sinister government operetta.
After twenty years since its premiere The Last Emperor is enjoyed, if anything, even more than then. Because they do not make movies like that. And also leaves Victor Wong, one of the "eternal side" more likeable and popular cinema commercial ochentero here in a completely atypical for what was usual in him.
