An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty
An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty

Movie spotlight

An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty

1984
Movie
102 min
Cantonese

Rebellious Yu Yuan-gi becomes a Taoist priestess in order to avoid traditional roles designated to her as a woman by the society and focus on her studies and poetry. However, her trysts with both her maid and a ronin lead to trouble.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Li Han-hsiangGenres: Biography, History, Romance

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the life of Shangguan Wan'er, a brilliant and influential poet and politician who rose to power during the Tang Dynasty. Despite her intelligence and contributions, her life was marked by turmoil, scandal, and ambition within the imperial court. It explores her relationships, her struggle for survival, and her eventual downfall.

Critical Reception

The film was a modest success, praised for its historical detail and Lau Siu-hung's performance as Shangguan Wan'er. While not a massive critical darling, it was appreciated for its attempt to bring a complex historical female figure to the screen, offering a blend of historical drama and romantic intrigue.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its opulent costumes and set design.

  • Lau Siu-hung's performance as the central figure is a standout.

  • Some found the pacing a bit slow in parts.

Google audience: Audience reception for this film is not widely documented on Google Reviews, but general sentiment from historical film enthusiasts often points to its detailed portrayal of the Tang Dynasty and its compelling lead character.

Fun Fact

Director Li Han-hsiang was known for his historical dramas, and 'An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty' was one of his later works, continuing his legacy of visually rich period pieces.

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