This week's film recommendation is The Last Emperor (1987), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. A groundbreaking historical epic, The Last Emperor tells the extraordinary story of Puyi, who ascended the throne as China’s emperor in 1908 at the age of three. The film takes audiences through Puyi’s life as he witnesses decades of cultural and political upheaval, transitioning from ruler of the Qing Dynasty to a man grappling with the fall of imperial China.

Winning an impressive nine Academy Awards, The Last Emperor was celebrated for its intricate storytelling and breathtaking visual scope. The cinematography, helmed by Vittorio Storaro, and the production design by Ferdinando Scarfiotti bring Qing Dynasty China to life in astonishing detail and unparalleled craftsmanship by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro and production designer Ferdinando Scarfiotti.

The Last Emperor is also an intimate character study of one man reconciling personal responsibility and political legacy. Adding to the film’s gravitas is its Oscar-winning score by Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose haunting compositions effortlessly blend Eastern and Western musical traditions. The music, alongside David Byrne and Cong Su, serves as a rich, emotional undercurrent that enhances the film’s grandeur and poignancy.

Bertolucci’s vision and the film’s haunting exploration of power, personal responsibility, and identity solidify The Last Emperor as a timeless masterpiece. Its ability to tell the story of a single man amidst such grand historical transitions remains a testament to its significance in cinema history.

Watch The Last Emperor on Apple TV or The Criterion Channel.

This is an excerpt from our August 29, 2024 newsletter. Love this recommendation? Discover more by subscribing to our newsletter here!