''Reign Behind a Curtain'' () is a 1983

historical drama film A historical drama (also period drama, period piece or just period) is a dramatic work set in the past, usually used in the context of film and television, which presents historical events and characters with varying degrees of fiction such as c ...

directed by

Li Han-hsiang Richard Li Han-hsiang (; 7 March 1926 in Jinxi, Liaoning – 17 December 1996 in Beijing) was a Chinese film director. Li directed more than 70 films in his career beginning in the 1950s and lasting till the 1990s. His '' The Enchanting Shadow' ...

. Sequel to '' The Burning of Imperial Palace'', this film tells the story of Cixi's consolidation of power. It stars Liu Xiaoqing as

Empress Dowager Cixi Empress Dowager Cixi ( ; 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908) was a Manchu noblewoman of the Yehe Nara clan who effectively but periodically controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty as empress dowager and regent for almost 50 ...

, Chan Wah as

Empress Dowager Ci'an Empress Xiaozhenxian (12 August 1837 – 8 April 1881), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and empress consort of Yizhu, the Xianfeng Emperor. She was empress consort of Qing from ...

and Tony Leung Ka-fai as the

Xianfeng Emperor The Xianfeng Emperor (17 July 1831 – 22 August 1861), also known by his temple name Emperor Wenzong of Qing, personal name Yizhu, was the eighth emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the seventh Qing emperor to rule over China proper. During his re ...

. The film was nominated for eight awards at the

3rd Hong Kong Film Awards The 3rd Hong Kong Awards ceremony, honored the best films of 1983 and took place on 4 August 1984, at the Regent International Hotel, Hong Kong. The ceremony was hosted by Chung King-fai, during the ceremony awards are presented in 12 categories. ...

and won two. Tony Leung, who made his debut in ''The Burning of Imperial Palace'', won the Best Actor Award.

Plot

After the Anglo-French joint invasion and the destruction of the Yuanming Garden, the

indulges in hunting at the Jehol Summer Resort and

Prince Gong Yixin (11January 1833– 29May 1898), better known in English as PrinceGong or Kung, was an imperial prince of the Aisin Gioro clan and an important statesman of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty in China. He was a regent of the empire from 1861 to 18 ...

is becoming more influential in the Qing government through frequent negotiations and operations with foreign powers. Rumours have it that Prince Gong is planning a rebellion with foreign supports, but Noble Consort Yi often rebuts such claims before the Emperor. The Emperor promotes a female court attendant as Consort Li, much to the dismay of members of the harem, especially Noble Consort Yi and the Empress. During the celebration of the Emperor's birthday, he suffers from

hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person exhibits excessive perspiration, sweating, more than is required for the Thermoregulation, regulation of body temperature. Although it is primarily a physical burden, hyperhidrosis can deterio ...

and

dizziness Dizziness is an imprecise term that can refer to a sense of disorientation in space, vertigo, or lightheadedness. It can also refer to Balance disorder, disequilibrium or a non-specific feeling, such as giddiness or foolishness. Dizziness is a ...

but refrains from interrupting the opera show. Nevertheless, the Empress summons the imperial doctors and halts the events, an act usually considered a taboo. Therefore, the senior ministers are alarmed about the Emperor's deteriorating health. When Sushun, the most trusted Imperial Consultant, visits the Emperor, he suggests that Noble Consort Yi should be executed before her son's succession to the throne, to prevent her from intervening with state affairs. His suggestion is rejected although the Emperor has been wary of Noble Consort Yi's ambition to overpower the Empress. Neither of them is unaware that Noble Consort Yi is overhearing their conversation. The Emperor designates Noble Consort Yi's six year-old son

Zaichun The Tongzhi Emperor (27 April 1856 – 12 January 1875), also known by his temple name Emperor Muzong of Qing, personal name Zaichun, was the ninth emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the eighth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign, whi ...

as his heir and appoints Sushun and seven other ministers as

regents In a monarchy, a regent () is a person appointed to govern a state because the actual monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge their powers and duties, or the throne is vacant and a new monarch has not yet been dete ...

. When his health further deteriorates, he summons the Empress, Noble Consort Yi and the eight regents, telling them whoever disrespects the Empress after his death shall be executed. Afterward, the Emperor orders Noble Consort Yi to stay behind and gives her one of his jade seals as a symbol of authority to assist the Empress. On a thundery night, Consort Li is kidnapped when she is praying for the Emperor's longevity. The Xianfeng Emperor dies in the Summer Resort on the same night. Upon the accession of Zaichun to the throne, the Empress and Noble Consort Yi become empresses dowager with titles "Empress Dowager Ci'an" and "Empress Dowager Cixi". The regency led by Sushun quickly adapts several policies, including the promulgation of the new

era name A regnal year is a year of the reign of a sovereign, from the Latin meaning kingdom, rule. Regnal years considered the date as an ordinal, not a cardinal number. For example, a monarch could have a first year of rule, a second year of rule, a t ...

''Qixiang'' and issuance of new coinage. The empresses dowager insist that all imperial edicts must bear both empresses dowager's seals. Prince Gong, who comes from Peking to Jehol to pay tribute to the late Emperor, meets with the empresses dowager to discuss a coup to seize power. When a

memorial to the throne A memorial to the throne () was an Official communications of the Chinese Empire, official communication to the emperor of China. They were generally careful essays in Classical Chinese and their presentation was a formal affair directed by govern ...

argues for replacing the regency, the empresses dowager secretly hide it as they believe the time is not right. On the other hand, the regency rejects the empresses dowager's suggestion to appoint a teacher for the young emperor. Although Ci'an tries to avoid direct confrontations, Cixi maintains they must not give in. A fierce quarrel breaks out between the two parties until the Emperor is scared into tears. Still holding the government, the regency secretly hires assassins against the empresses dowager on their way back to Peking, but their plan is foiled because of an undercover. When seven of the regents arrive in Peking, they are either imprisoned or expelled from the Grand Council by Prince Gong. Sushun, who is still escorting the late emperor's coffin, is arrested at night. As Sushan is beheaded at Caishikou, Duanhua is given a white silk cloth to hang himself and Zaiyuan is suffocated, the regency is dissolved. Seeing her political enemies eliminated, Cixi goes to see Consort Li, who turns out to have been put in a large wine urn with her limbs chopped. Consort Li says she is now worry-free and mocks Cixi for being constantly paranoid and guilty. As the new emperor is enthroned, Ci'an and Cixi now reign behind a curtain and become the most powerful women in China. The narrator comments that Cixi's 48-year reign is a catastrophe to the state.

Cast

* Liu Xiaoqing as Nobel Consort Yi, later Empress Dowager Cixi * Tony Leung Ka-fai as the

, Qing Emperor of China * Chen Ye as the

Empress The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/grand empress dowager), or a woman who rules ...

, later Empress Dowager Ci'an * Hong Kwan as Sushun, leader of the regency * Zhang Tielin as Yixin, Prince Gong * Wong Pui as Duanhua, member of the regency * Chow Kit as Consort Li

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * * * {{Li Han-hsiang 1983 drama films 1983 films Films set in the 1860s Films directed by Li Han-hsiang Films set in Beijing Films shot in Beijing Hong Kong drama films 1980s Mandarin-language films 1980s Cantonese-language films Films set in 19th-century Qing dynasty 1980s Hong Kong films