The Last Emperor

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The Last Emperor

The Last Emperor is a British-Italian epic biographical drama film of 1987 which reflects the life of the last emperor of China, Puyi. Puyi’s autobiography formed the basis for the screenplay that was written by Bernardo Bertolucci and Mark Peploe. The film was independently produced by Jeremy Thomas, directed by Bertolucci, and later on, released by Columbia Pictures in 1987. The life of Puyi is clearly depicted from his throne ascent as a young man to his political rehabilitation and imprisonment by the Communist Party of China. Before his 1908 birthday, Puyi was elected as the emperor of China. After the revolution in 1911, there was a republic declaration that led him to be abdicated. From that point, Puyi’s life was defined by the tumultuous political history of China. In 1930, Puyi was made the emperor of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. In 1945, he was captured by the Red Army, "re-educated" by Mao Zedong's administration and later on faced a prosecution during the Cultural Revolution.

There is a clear stereotype of Chinese children being incredibly subservient and respectful t their guardians or parents, which has gained truth over time. Just like Puyi, children are expected to be fluent and knowledgeable in using classical instruments like the flute and piano. As young children grow, certain political transformations are anticipated especially of a child possess unique characteristics that distinguish him or her from the rest of the populace. In China, all productions must be made with the government’s blessing, and that’s one factor that made Bertolucci’s movie get filmed within the Forbidden City. Just as the name sounds, this was a respectable region so no one would probably expect a shooting full-frontal critique of Chinese political history. The play is purposely meant to take one’s mind off the societal expectations of them. It is a form of getting away from what one was raised doing, and choosing a whole new strategy when it comes to business. The first gig was in June and a three-piece band signed to these Sire records in November, same year. The band was introduced to multi-instrumentalist Jerry Harrison and released 8 studio albums.

In 1959, Puyi led a life as an ordinary person in the Republic of China. The Communist re-education program for political prisoners and his interrogators pushed Puyi and coerced him to formally renounce the forced collaboration with the Japanese invaders for war crimes through the second Sino-Japanese War.  Lastly, following a heated conversation with the camp commandant and after watching a film that detailed the wartime atrocities that as committed by the Japanese, Puyi recanted the previous stances and rehabilitated by the government. In 1959, he was subsequently set free. Puyi had a strong musical interest and according to his parents, he constantly played his phonograph ever since he was three and at five, he was able to play the harmonica. His repertoire majorly consisted of songs like Dancing on the Ceiling, 96 Tears and April Showers.

The film’s final minutes reflects a flash-forward to 1967 following the beginning of the Cultural Revolution and during the rise of the cult of personality of Mao Zedong. By this period, Puyi had become a basic gardener who survives as a peasant proletarian existence. On his way from work, Puyi happened upon a Red Guard parade, complete with young kids playing pentatonic music on accordions en masse, as well as dancers who make moves to the landlordism rejection by the Communists. One of the prison camp commanders, who had really come through for Puyi during his rehabilitation period, had no choice but wear a sandwich board and a dunce cap bearing punitive slogans. He is now one among the political prisoners now undergoing a punishment as an anti-revolutionary in the parade.

Later on, Puyi paid a visit to the Forbidden City, just as any other ordinary tourist. While there, he met an assertive young man wearing a red scarf that identified with the Pioneer Movement. As a Communist, the young man ordered Puyi to step away from the throne. Nonetheless, Puyi resorts to prove that he is made of steel and was truly the Son of Heaven, proceeding to make approaches to the throne. Behind the scenes, Puyi comes across a 60-year-old pet cricket, which he was gifted by Chen Baochen, the palace official, during his coronation day. He opts to grant the gift to the child. Amazed by the new gift, the boy resorts to talking to Puyi, but unfortunately, the emperor has disappeared. In 1987, the film depicts a tour guide who leads a group through the palace. Bringing to an end in front of the throne, Puyi’s life is summarized by the guide in very few and brief sentences, making a conclusion that he had succumbed in 1967.