Curse of the Golden Flower (Film 2006)

Curse of the Golden Flower is a 2006 Chinese epic wuxia drama film written and directed by Zhang Yimou. The screenplay is based on Thunderstorm, a renowned Chinese play written by Cao Yu in the 1930s. Audio in Chinese with English subtitles.

The Chinese title of the movie is taken from the last line of a poem written by the rebel leader Huang Chao who was also the Emperor of self-proclaimed Qi Dynasty that was at war with the Tang Dynasty. Huang Chao had composed the poem "On the Chrysanthemum, after failing the Imperial Examination" or simply "Chrysanthemum":

"When autumn comes on Double Ninth Festival, / my flower [the chrysanthemum] will bloom and all others perish. / When the sky-reaching fragrance [of the chrysanthemum] permeates Chang'an, / the whole city will be clothed in golden armour."

Historical perspective:
The two protagonists are known in the Chinese version as "King" and "Queen", which in the English version has been upgraded to the more stereotypically Chinese "Emperor" and "Empress". The distinction is not trivial, as the lower title "king" only lays claim to a defined region whereas the supreme "emperor" claims overlordship over the entire (Chinese-speaking) world. The choice of title therefore implies that despite the splendor of its court the polity depicted in the film does not actually rule all of China.

The English language version states that this movie is set in the "Tang dynasty" in the year 928. The Chinese version doesn't specify a time period. The film's published screenplay indicates it is set during Later Shu of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Neither the Tang dynasty (618–907) nor Later Shu (934–965) existed in the year 928, although another state named Tang — known as Later Tang in history — did, as well as other Chinese states Wu, Chu, Min, Southern Han, Jingnan and Wuyue, in addition to the Khitan-ruled Liao dynasty (known as just Khitan in 928). However, Later Tang rulers were known as "Emperor" and never "King", and of all the states mentioned above, only Chu, Wuyue, Min and Jingnan rulers could be called "King" by their subjects in 928. Suzhou is evidently under the jurisdiction of the state featured in the film, as the King is able to appoint Dr. Jiang its governor. This narrows the number of candidates to the states with territory in the Yangzi River Delta.

Cast & Characters:
Chow Yun-fat as Emperor Ping
Gong Li as Empress Phoenix
Jay Chou as Prince Jai (the middle son of Emperor Ping)
Qin Junjie as Prince Yu (the youngest son of Emperor Ping)
Liu Ye as Crown Prince Wan (the eldest son of Emperor Ping)
Ni Dahong as Imperial Physician Jiang (later Governor of Xuju and Commander of Chariots)
Chen Jin as physician's wife
Li Man as Jiang Chan (physician's daughter)