In China, homosexuality isn't illegal, but homosexuals are routinely persecuted by police and arrested for "hooliganism". The film focuses on a young gay writer A-Lan who, being attracted ...
See full summary »
We've curated a list of lesser-known films to help you explore the space-time continuum from the comfort of your couch.
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: East Palace, West Palace (1996)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
4 wins & 1 nomination.
See more awards »
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
In China, homosexuality isn't illegal, but homosexuals are routinely persecuted by police and arrested for "hooliganism". The film focuses on a young gay writer A-Lan who, being attracted to a young policeman, manages to have himself interrogated for a whole night. His life-story which he tells during the interrogation reflects the general repression of the Chinese society. The policeman's attitude shifts from the initial revulsion to fascination and, finally, to attraction. Written by Piotr Zembrowski <zembrows@astro.utoronto.ca> (after David Overbey)
Genres:
DramaCertificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
Did You Know?
Trivia
In 1997 the Chinese government put director 'Zhang, Yuan' under house arrest and confiscated his passport. His friends smuggled this movie out of the country so it could be shown at the 1997 Cannes film festival. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
ChinaLanguage:
MandarinRelease Date:
24 July 1998 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
East Palace, West Palace See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$28,024, 13 September 1998Gross USA:
$46,470Company Credits
Production Co:
Amazon Entertainment Ltd., Hubert Bals Fund, Ministrère de la Culture Français See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
East Palace, West Palace reminded me somewhat of The Detective, with Frank Sinatra in the role of the cop, and William Windom is the boy. It's a progressive film for China, I guess, but it also perpetuates myths about the femininity of gay men: much is made of Chinese myths in which men take on female roles. The movie focuses on an effeminate man who wants desperately to be dominated and hurt by a macho guy. He cruises the park without fear--he hopes to be taken into the stationhouse by the officer. And that in fact happens. Then he tells the officer his entire life story while being subjected to mild torture: made to squat for a period of time, handcuffed, slapped. This is what the gay man wants, and, implicitly, the gay man is challenging the cop's self-image as a manly man. The story's about the gay man's life (which include flashbacks) are tolerable, but when he starts describing old Chinese myths and dramatic works, the movie becomes unbearable. It becomes a cry of pity for China's gays, who only want to fulfill a traditional role in Chinese society. Sorry, I can't relate.