M. Butterfly is a 1993 film adaptation of David Henry Hwang's play of the same name. The story is based on the true events surrounding the relationship between French diplomat Bernard Boursicot and his lover Shi Pei Pu, a male Peking opera singer who was masquerading as a woman.
The film follows the story of Rene Gallimard, a French diplomat who becomes obsessed with Song Liling, a Chinese opera singer. Gallimard falls deeply in love with Song and believes her to be a woman, despite her androgynous appearance. The two engage in a passionate affair, which Gallimard keeps secret from his wife and colleagues.
However, as their relationship progresses, Song reveals that she is actually a man and that her feminine appearance is achieved through the art of Chinese opera. Despite this revelation, Gallimard continues to believe in the illusion of their love and becomes increasingly delusional.
As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Song is not who she appears to be and that she has been using Gallimard for her own purposes. The film explores themes of deception, gender identity, and cultural misconceptions.
M. Butterfly stars Jeremy Irons as Gallimard and John Lone as Song Liling, with direction by David Cronenberg. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning several award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.