NánDàn characters in "Farewell, My Concubine" and "M. Butterfly"

• Grant number: 23/15125-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Cinema
• Principal Investigator: Cecilia Antakly de Mello
• Grantee: Valentina Curi Hage
• Host Institution: Escola de Comunicações e Artes (ECA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/00514-1 - NánDàn characters in Peking Opera, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The aim of the proposed research is to analyse the films Farewell, My Concubine (Bawang Bie Ji, Chen Kaige, 1993), of Eastern origin, and M. Butterfly (David Cronenberg, 1993), of Western origin, with an emphasis on the NánDàn characters. These films, both from 1993, are similar in that they portray the personal dramas of male characters playing female characters in Peking Opera shows (called NánDàn in the pinyin system), in a China undergoing profound changes. Based on a comparative analysis that evaluates the narrative structure, character development and intermedial relationship of the films with Chinese opera, with an emphasis on NánDàn acting and performance, this study seeks to shed light on the different approaches used by the directors in exploring the NánDàn characters, as well as their relationship with 20th century Chinese society and politics. It thus aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the artistic and socio-cultural implications of the two films.