Farewell My Concubine (1993) -- Moving Relationship/Epic/Poetic/Heartbreaking

Let's see Farewell My Concubine (1993)! Based on the book of the same name. We have seats H8-9. A mysterious boat returns to a village 30 years after vanishing. Two men join its crew hoping for better fortune. After one voyage, they find themselves transported back in time, mistaken for the original crew. The best historical dramas are the ones that do not seek to give a play by play of historical events, but rather choose to develop a character within a specific historical context. Farewell My Concubine manages to be perhaps the most complete and comprehensive film about China in the 20th century, without ever focusing on the people or forces that made massive societal changes happen. Instead of focusing on the big picture, this film narrows its scope down to the level of two actors. These actors in a traditional form are bystanders to history. They do not witness historical events, they are not a part of them, but like everyone else in the country, they are affected by their impact. This film has no interest in telling the story of China, but rather, it is interested in telling the story of average Chinese people, whose lives were uprooted by a handful of massive societal changes. The end of a dynasty, the beginning of democracy, the invasion by Japan, the cultural revolution, and the rise of communism. Meanwhile, as the world and their nation shifts massively around these ordinary people, the actors continue to perform the same act, over and over. China changes, the actors do not. Some of the most gorgeous cinematography I have ever seen. A free roaming camera, which always happens to be in the right place at the right time, and then moves steadily onto the next thing. As good an argument as any that all films should be shot on a steadicam. It's truly a magnificent piece of work. I'm so inspired by the way it handled such massive scope through such an intimate lens. Trailer: https://youtu.be/FFiHfDBt9lE?si=kQgxCQWH9d_Nj8c9 Tickets: Buy your ticket here.…