The Last Emperor: An Analysis

The Last Emperor: An Analysis

Introduction

The film tells the life of the last Chinese emperor Pu Yi Aisin-Gioro, who ascended the throne with only 3 years, and years later would have to abdicate under the Republican forces who wanted to end the Imperial era in China. Following this he was imprisoned with the advent of communism in the country (being an "ally" in Japan) and released after years in jail, and finally end up outfielder Beijing Botanical Garden during the time of Mao led a life as any man in his country, witnessing the cult of Mao and the Cultural Revolution.

Discussion

The story of the Last Emperor is based on the life of Pu Yi, the final or last emperor of Ching dynasty. A story of a leader, who did not understand the preferences and needs of the people living under his regime and continue to live in a fantasy kingdom, finally succumbing to his impotence (Xu, 2005). Apart from the storyline, which is based on the life history of the protagonist, the story paints an unmatchable experience of art and culture prevalent in East Asia. The initial half of the story provides great insight into the Forbidden City, China's most historic and prestigious landmark (Xu, 2005).

The Westerners and the rest of the world got to know about the spiritual culture of the Chinese and realized how art is considered to be a treasure of this civilization (Xu, 2005). The story had some unique illustration of the Imperial Palace, appeared for the first time before the world. The illustration of some of the most fascinating and exotic places of China is also among the key attracting elements of the story (Xu, 2005). On the other hand the film that was produced on the same story was considered visually attracted, regardless of the screenplay and storyline.

Every fact about the East Asian art or Chinese history presented during the times mentioned in the film is true to the actual history. For example, the reason behind the city being called 'forbidden' is because the emperor lived there and since he was considered to be the son of God, he was prevented from being seen by the public. This was clearly stated in the film in the beginning when Pu Yi is crowned as the emperor at the age of three and gets protected from public view.

This fascinating story traces the stories of the last emperor of all works by Bertolucci complexity and the search for identity of these characters. It contains multiple issues and it's up to her fantasies. The young emperor imprisoned in the Forbidden City, constantly missing maternal love and paternal absence (Xu, 2005). This emperor has all the rights seek to defy prohibitions. Impossible to grow for that child cradled between reality and illusion that will live a difficult and exceptional destiny. Indeed he goes from being an emperor to that of toilet cleaner. John Lone interprets Emperor Pu Yi perfectly.

This was the period of the First ...