Directed by:
David CronenbergCinematography:
Peter SuschitzkyComposer:
Howard ShoreCast:
Jeremy Irons, John Lone, Barbara Sukowa, Ian Richardson, Vernon Dobtcheff, David Hemblen, George Jonas, Annabel Leventon, Tristam Jelinek, Shizuko Hoshi (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Beijing, 1964. French Embassy accountant René Gallimard becomes infatuated with Beijing opera singer Song Liling after watching her perform arias from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." At their first encounter he engages her in what becomes a titillating conversation, in which Liling intriguingly challenges Gallimard's traditional western notions of gender relations. Gallimard's curiosity is now fully aroused and he attends the Chinese Opera just to see Liling again, this time, he initiates an affair which will last 18 years. As soon as Gallimard is promoted to vice consul, becoming privy to top-secret intelligence, Liling takes the opportunity to spy for the Communist regime. But what Gallimard doesn't realize is that there's a secret Liling is keeping from him. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (1)
David Cronenberg is one of the greatest directors of our time for me, and even though I don't really like his last two films, he still proves to me that he can direct excellently. And although I prefer his darker work, which is also quite gory, I am also happy to watch something different. The acting performance of Irons and Lone in this film is so captivating and breathtaking, yet it is also terrifying. And yet, there is no gore in it at all.
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Gallery (7)
Photo © Geffen Pictures
