霸王别姬
"The passionate triangle of two lifelong friends and the woman who comes between them!"
Farewell My Concubine - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
I am by nature a boy, not a girl.
— Cheng Dieyi (as a child)
Context:
As a young apprentice, Douzi repeatedly fails to recite the line correctly for the opera "Dreaming of a World Outside the Nunnery." After being brutally punished by his master, Shitou forces a pipe into his mouth, bloodying it, after which Douzi finally recites the line correctly, symbolizing a point of no return in the transformation of his identity.
Meaning:
This line, and Dieyi's struggle to say its opposite ("I am by nature a girl, not a boy"), is the psychological crux of the film. It represents the violent suppression of his innate identity and the forced adoption of a new one to fit his theatrical role. His eventual, tearful capitulation signifies the moment the line between self and performance begins to dissolve permanently.
I'm talking about a lifetime. One year, one month, one day, even one second's less makes it less than a lifetime.
— Cheng Dieyi
Context:
Dieyi says this to Xiaolou after they have become famous. Xiaolou has just announced his intention to marry Juxian, shattering Dieyi's fantasy that their on-stage partnership is a pact for life. This line is his desperate plea and a statement of his unwavering, if unrealistic, commitment.
Meaning:
This quote encapsulates Dieyi's philosophy of absolute devotion. He is not speaking merely of a professional partnership but of a lifelong, all-encompassing bond with Xiaolou, mirroring the undying loyalty of the concubine to her king. It highlights his idealistic, obsessive nature and his inability to separate his role from his reality.
You are really obsessed. Your obsession with the stage carries over into your everyday life. But how are we going to get through the days and make it in the real world among ordinary people?
— Duan Xiaolou
Context:
Xiaolou says this during one of their many arguments about Dieyi's intense jealousy over his relationship with Juxian. It is a moment of clear-sighted frustration, where Xiaolou points out the fundamental difference in how they perceive their lives and their profession.
Meaning:
This quote clearly articulates the central conflict between the two main characters. Xiaolou recognizes Dieyi's inability to distinguish between art and life, framing it as a dangerous obsession. It defines Xiaolou's pragmatism and his desire for a normal life, which stands in stark contrast to Dieyi's all-or-nothing idealism.