Curse of the Golden Flower 2006
Directed by
Yimou Zhang
Made by
Sony Pictures Classics
Plot Summary
On the eve of the Double Ninth Festival, the Emperor returns with his son, Prince Jai (Li Gong), from a military campaign to Nanjing to celebrate the holiday with their family. Unbeknownst to them, scandal brews within the palace walls: the Empress has been engaged in an illicit affair with her firstborn, Crown Prince Wan (Yun-Fat Chow), born of the Emperor’s previous wife. Complicating matters further, Crown Prince Wan also harbors feelings for Jiang Chan, the daughter of the Imperial Doctor, and he contemplates abdicating the throne to escape with her.
Concerned about their mother’s gravely poor health and her newfound fascination with chrysanthemums, Prince Jai learns from the Empress that she has been slowly poisoned by the Emperor and has devised a plan of rebellion against him. Initially hesitant, Prince Jai ultimately agrees to lead the uprising. To uncover the poison affecting the Empress, a mysterious woman is hired; however, she gets captured by Crown Prince Wan and brought before the Emperor. This woman is revealed to be Jiang Shi, the long-thought-dead first wife of the Emperor and mother to Crown Prince Wan. The Emperor, choosing to show mercy, pardons her and promotes the Imperial Doctor to the governorship of Suzhou.
In an emotional farewell with Jiang Chan, Crown Prince Wan is informed about the Empress’s creation of 10,000 scarves adorned with golden flower sigils. Upon confronting the Empress, he is devastated to learn of her treachery, prompting him to attempt suicide, though he survives the act.
On their journey to Suzhou, betrayal strikes the Imperial Doctor’s household as the Emperor’s assassins launch a deadly assault, resulting in the Doctor’s demise. In a desperate move, Jiang Shi and Jiang Chan return to challenge the Emperor, only to discover that Jiang Shi is actually Crown Prince Wan’s mother, meaning Jiang Chan is unwittingly his half-sister. Horrified by this revelation, Jiang Chan flees, pursued by Jiang Shi, only to be ambushed and killed by more assassins.
In a shocking turn of events, Prince Yu, the Emperor’s third son, murders Crown Prince Wan and reveals his understanding of the rampant corruption within the palace. He demands that the Emperor abdicates his throne, but the Emperor retaliates with hidden assassins that swiftly overpower Prince Yu’s soldiers. In a brutal struggle, Yu is punished severely, resulting in his death.
Outside the palace, the atmosphere shifts dramatically as Prince Jai leads 10,000 soldiers bearing golden flower sigils to storm the palace. They clash fiercely with the Emperor’s assassins and push forward into the inner sanctum, trampling the bed of flowers prepared for the festival. Yet, reserves of the Emperor’s army arrive, decimating the golden soldiers; only Prince Jai manages to escape, only to be taken captive. As the grotesque scene unfolds, palace servants efficiently erase the evidence of rebellion, meticulously cleaning and reinstating order as if nothing ever happened.
With the festivities commencing at midnight, the Emperor expresses his discontent with Prince Jai, who had not sought the throne but rather fought for his mother’s honor. Faced with a choice, the Emperor offers to grant Jai pardon if he complies with the facade of the Empress’s poisoning. In a courageous act of defiance, Prince Jai declines and takes his own life, spilling his blood into a cup of poisoned tea intended for the Empress. In a moment of utter horror, the Empress recoils as the tea, now tainted, begins to corrode the wooden table, marking the end of their darkly intertwined fates.
Timeline
Return to Nanjing
On the eve of the Double Ninth Festival, the Emperor returns with his son, Prince Jai, to Nanjing after completing a military campaign. Their homecoming is intended to celebrate the festival with family and reflect the joy that the occasion brings.
Hidden Betrayal
While the Emperor and Prince Jai celebrate, a scandal brews within the palace as the Empress engages in an illicit affair with Crown Prince Wan. The familial dynamics are further complicated by the Crown Prince’s infatuation with Jiang Chan, the daughter of the Imperial Doctor.
The Empress's Illness
Prince Jai learns that his mother, the Empress, is gravely ill due to slow poisoning by the Emperor. Upon realizing the severity of her condition, he becomes concerned and begins contemplating a precarious rebellion against his father.
Recruiting Help
To uncover the source of the poisoning, Prince Jai hires a mysterious woman with special skills. However, this woman is captured by Crown Prince Wan and brought before the Emperor, revealing a web of secrets that entangles their fates.
Revelation of Jiang Shi
The mysterious woman, revealed to be Jiang Shi, the long-lost first wife of the Emperor, comes back to the palace. Her appearance causes shockwaves as it surfaces old grievances, while the Emperor shows her mercy.
Confrontation with the Empress
Crown Prince Wan confronts the Empress and learns of her betrayal, subsequently attempting suicide due to the emotional turmoil. His survival becomes a pivotal moment in the palace drama, intensifying the emotional stakes for all involved.
Assassins Strike
While en route to Suzhou, the Imperial Doctor's family is attacked by the Emperor's assassins. This violent encounter leads to the Doctor’s death, showcasing the peril and treachery that permeates the palace.
A Shocking Family Secret
Jiang Shi reveals that she is Crown Prince Wan’s mother, making Jiang Chan her half-sister. This startling discovery leads to an immediate flight for Jiang Chan, but freshly launched assassins ambush her, resulting in her tragic death.
Prince Yu's Revolt
In a bid for justice, Prince Yu murders Crown Prince Wan and challenges the Emperor about the corruption rampant within the palace. However, this act provokes dire consequences as the Emperor retaliates with deadly force.
The Siege of the Palace
Amidst the chaos, Prince Jai leads 10,000 soldiers bearing golden flower sigils in an assault on the palace. Their fierce confrontation against the Emperor’s forces marks a pivotal battle for honor and justice.
Collapse of the Rebellion
Despite their bravery, the Emperor's army overwhelms Prince Jai’s forces. Only Jai escapes the massacre, while palace servants clear the evidence of rebellion, meticulously restoring the palace's facade as if nothing occurred.
Final Showdown
With the festival underway, the Emperor confronts Prince Jai about his actions and the rebellion for his mother’s honor. The Emperor offers a false pardon, but Jai defies him, taking his own life in a dramatic act of resistance.
The Tainted Cup
In a horrifying conclusion, as Prince Jai spills his blood into the poisoned tea intended for the Empress, the wooden table begins to corrode. This moment signifies the tragic intertwining fates of the characters and the extensive consequences of palace intrigues.
Characters
Prince Jai (Li Gong)
A figure of honor and reluctant heroism, Prince Jai embodies the tragic struggle against his father's tyranny. Initially hesitant, he steps into the role of a leader to protect his mother, showing deep familial loyalty despite the risks involved. His ultimate defiance highlights the moral complexities that come with love and duty.
Crown Prince Wan (Yun-Fat Chow)
The Crown Prince finds himself torn between familial loyalty and forbidden love, leading to his tragic downfall. His deep affection for Jiang Chan complicates his position and drives him into a web of betrayal. Wan's emotional vulnerability and eventual despair reflect the heavy weight of societal expectations and personal desires.
Jiang Chan
Jiang Chan represents innocence caught in a dangerous game of royal politics. Her relationship with Crown Prince Wan reveals her deep yearning for love amid calamity. The devastating outcome of her path speaks to the cruel realities faced by women in the court, stripped of agency and subject to the whims of powerful men.
Jiang Shi
As a figure believed to be long gone, Jiang Shi's return weaves a shocking twist in the narrative. Her character exemplifies resilience and the burden of secrets within the family. Her dual role as both mother and a symbol of rebellion paints a complex portrait of familial loyalty and the quest for justice.
Setting
Time period
Imperial China, 10th Century
Set in an ornate palace during the Double Ninth Festival, the time period is marked by intricate courtly traditions and a rigid hierarchical structure. The Imperial dynasty faces internal strife characterized by betrayal, ambition, and a struggle for power among family members. During this era, rebellions and the quest for legitimacy within a kingdom often dictated the fates of both rulers and their subjects.
Location
Nanjing, Suzhou
Nanjing serves as the central setting where the political intrigue and familial betrayals unfold within the imperial palace. Known for its rich history and as a former capital of several Chinese dynasties, it becomes a hotbed of conspiracy on the eve of a significant festival. Suzhou, another crucial location in the narrative, is recognized for its beautiful gardens and waterways, contrasting the oppressive atmosphere of the palace.
Themes
⚔️
Power Struggle
The movie encapsulates a tumultuous power struggle within an imperial family, highlighting themes of ambition and betrayal. The characters navigate a treacherous landscape of royal politics, where loyalty is tested and moral conflicts arise. In the end, it showcases how the quest for power can lead to devastating consequences and inevitable tragedy.
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Family Betrayal
Family ties become twisted as love and loyalty clash in a deadly game of deceit. The forbidden relationships and secret agendas expose the fragility of trust in a royal family. The emotional upheaval surrounding the characters reflects the harsh reality of familial bonds being severed by ambition and betrayal.
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Betrayal of Affection
Chrysanthemums and scarves become symbols of treachery and hidden agendas within the courtship. The pursuit of love and affection is fraught with danger as various characters act on their desires, which ultimately leads to heartbreaking revelations. The contrast between the beauty of these symbols and the brutality of their outcomes serves as a poignant reminder of lost innocence and shattered dreams.
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