"Farewell My Concubine" is a 1993 film directed by Chen Kaige, starring Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, and Gong Li. The film is set during the turbulent political period in China from the 1920s to the 1970s, and follows the lives of two male Peking opera performers, Douzi and Shitou, and their troubled relationship over several decades.
The film begins with Douzi, a young boy, being left behind by his prostitute mother outside a Peking opera theater. He is taken in by the theater troupe and raised as a female performer. As he grows up, he becomes close friends with Shitou, a fellow performer who helps him become a talented actor. Together, they develop a popular act based on the famous Chinese story "Farewell My Concubine."
As the two men become successful, they encounter a beautiful courtesan named Juxian, who becomes entangled in their lives. Shitou falls in love with Juxian and marries her, which causes a rift between him and Douzi. Douzi becomes increasingly jealous and bitter towards their relationship, and the tensions between the two men eventually lead to a tragic ending.
The film explores themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle to balance tradition with modernity. It was praised for its stunning visuals and powerful performances, and won numerous awards including the Palme d'Or at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.
