Mei Lanfang

The Worlds of Mei Lanfang

The true story of Mei Lanfang, China's greatest opera star; a husband and father whose world-wide fame came from the portrayal of women. His fascinating life was the basis for the feature film Farewell My Concubine.

Dream in the Garden

"A Dream in the Garden" is a scene from "The Peony Pavilion" by Tang Xianzu, a playwright of the Ming Dynasty. Du Liniang was deeply bound by feudal ethics. One day, she went to the back garden with her maid Chunxiang to enjoy the spring without telling her parents and tutor. The fragrance of flowers and the chirping of birds made her sad. After she was tired, she went back to her room to rest. In her dream, she met the scholar Liu Mengmei in the garden, and many flower gods came to act as matchmakers for them. Du Liniang's mother came to the bed to wake her daughter up. Seeing that her daughter looked dazed, the mother told her to go to the back garden less often in the future. Although Du Liniang agreed, she was still obsessed with her dream and soon became depressed.

Goddess Luo River

Taking place during the period of the Three Kingdoms, 220 A.D., a story about the relationship between the emperor Cao Pi, his first wife Zhen, and his brother Cao Zhi. Zhen falls for Cao Zhi, and upon discovering this disloyalty, Cao Pi orders the execution of Zhen, and the banishment of his brother Cao Zhi.

Remorse at Death

The story of two people who were forced to marry each without sincere feelings, resulting in a story of life and death.

A Spray of Plum Blossoms

Bai Le De and Hu Lun tung are military cadets. After graduating, Hu Lin Tung is appointed captain of Guangdong headquarters and goes away. Later, Bae Le De is also appointed to a post at the same place. Hu Lun Ting falls in love with Luo Hua, daughter of the local commander.

The Dream of the Ancient Capital

This film depicting the lives of ordinary people — street peddlers, poor scholars, and young revolutionaries — reflects the culturally progressive political climate of that pre-War, post-May the 4th era.

木兰从军·走边

In the autumn of 1924, Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang, at the invitation of Minxin Film Company (one of China's earliest film studios), filmed excerpts from his iconic opera repertoire in Beijing.