Farewell My Concubine 1993

Here is the rephrased text:

In a poignant display of vulnerability, Douzi (character with feminine features), a young boy forsaken by his prostitute mother, finds solace in the all-boys Peking opera troupe under the watchful eye of Master Guan. It is here that he forms an enduring bond with Shitou, his fellow trouper and confidant.

Years pass, and Douzi’s transformation into a skilled dan (female role) player becomes evident, while Shitou devotes himself to mastering the art of jing (painted face male roles). During a rehearsal for the play “Dreaming of the World Outside the Nunnery”, Douzi commits an inadvertent error by misinterpreting the line “I am by nature a girl, not a boy” as “I am by nature a boy, not a girl”, inviting brutal physical punishment. In the aftermath of this incident, Douzi and Laizi attempt to escape, but it is Douzi’s renewed passion for acting that ultimately prevails after witnessing a captivating opera performance. Upon returning to the troupe, they find themselves confronted with the harsh consequences of their desertion, and Douzi is mercilessly beaten. The tragic loss of Laizi serves as a stark reminder of the severe repercussions that await those who dare to defy the expectations of their troupe.

As fate would have it, an agent tasked with securing talent for opera performances arrives at the troupe, seeking potential actors. When Douzi repeats his earlier mistake in front of this influential figure, Shitou intervenes, urging him to start anew. With a newfound sense of determination, Douzi whispers the correct phrase: “I am by nature a girl, not a boy”, and delivers the entire monologue with unbridled passion, earning the adoration of his troupe mates and securing the agent’s attention.

The troupe is subsequently invited to perform for the esteemed eunuch Zhang, where they are treated to an elaborate sword crafted by his own hands. Shitou, in a symbolic gesture of devotion, vows to one day gift this very sword to Douzi, echoing the noble actions of heroes who would defend their honor with unwavering dedication.

It is during this fateful encounter that Zhang extends an invitation for Douzi to visit him privately, only to be met with a shocking display of sexual assault. Though Douzi remains silent on the matter, it becomes clear that Shitou possesses an intuitive understanding of the events that transpired. As they depart from Zhang’s estate, Douzi finds solace in the abandoned baby he has taken under his wing, who will later come to train under Master Guan’s guidance, further solidifying their bond.

As the years unfold, Douzi and Shitou - now renowned Peking opera stars under their stage names Cheng Dieyi (played by) and Duan Xiaolou - bring their unique brand of artistry to the forefront. Their crowning achievement is the iconic performance of Farewell My Concubine, where Dieyi assumes the role of Consort Yu and Xiaolou embodies the heroic Xiang Yu. The duo’s meteoric rise attracts the attention of Yuan Shiqing, a respected individual who attends their performances with great enthusiasm. This esteemed patron has come to possess the sword that Dieyi and Xiaolou discovered in Zhang’s humble abode, and graciously bestows it upon Dieyi as a token of his admiration.

As Dieyi’s fame reaches new heights, his unrequited love for Xiaolou remains an unresolved ache. However, when Xiaolou marries Juxian, a fiery courtesan with an unyielding spirit, the dynamics between the three individuals begin to unravel. The tangled web of emotions gives rise to jealousy, betrayal, and ultimately, irreconcilable differences. This complex love triangle is further complicated by the tumultuous political landscape that follows the Second Sino-Japanese War.

In the aftermath of Master Guan’s passing, Xiao Si, the abandoned infant who was once under Dieyi’s care, comes under his tutelage to continue learning the intricacies of dan roles. As the communist forces emerge victorious in the civil war, Xiao Si becomes a fervent adherent of the new government. Meanwhile, Dieyi’s addiction to opium exacts a devastating toll on his performances, but he ultimately finds redemption with the aid of Xiaolou and Juxian.

Xiao Si, however, nurtures a deep-seated resentment towards Dieyi due to his demanding teaching methods and usurps his role in Farewell My Concubine during one fateful performance, without conferring with Dieyi beforehand. This betrayal leaves Dieyi shattered and isolated, refusing to reconcile with Xiaolou. As the Cultural Revolution intensifies, the entire opera troupe is subjected to a grueling struggle session by the Red Guards, where under duress, Dieyi and Xiaolou turn against each other, leveling counterrevolutionary accusations.

In a desperate attempt to protect himself from further persecution, Xiaolou swears that he does not harbor feelings for Juxian, pledging to “make a clean break” with her. This declaration only serves to devastate Juxian, who returns the sword to Dieyi before taking her own life. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Xiao Si is caught by the Red Guards while rehearsing Consort Yu’s lines in solitude, his voice echoing off the mirrors as he mourns the loss of a world once full of beauty and artistry.

As the curtain closes on 1977, the once-fractured bond between Dieyi (played by) and Xiaolou appears to have been skillfully restored. Like a perfectly tuned instrument, their collaboration on the iconic opera Farewell My Concubine resonates with renewed passion and purpose. Amidst the rehearsal’s rhythmic ebb and flow, Xiaolou pauses, his voice soaring as he utters the poignant line “I am by nature a boy.” Dieyi’s response is predictable yet heartbreaking - “I am not a girl” - a painful reminder of their shared past. As the music fades into silence, both performers conclude their rehearsal, but beneath the surface, a sense of unease lingers. It is here that Dieyi seizes Xiaolou’s sword, his movements eerily mirroring those of the tragic concubine from the opera. With a calculated swiftness, he plunges the blade into his own throat, an act of self-inflicted sacrifice that underscores the devastating cost of their long-simmering emotional turmoil.