M. Butterfly
- Director: David Cronenberg
- Writer: David Henry Hwang
- Producer: David Henry Hwang; Gabriella Martinelli
CGiii Comment
Possibly, one of Cronenberg's more accessible films - even though the story is pretty damn difficult to believe...nothing stranger than fact.
But, Cronenberg does manage to keep interest throughout...
With an ending that is so over-the-top - its campness is searingly astounding - especially with the very straight-faced Jeremy Irons.
It must be a strange feeling finding out that you are gay without ever knowing that you ever were.
Love is a very strange thing.
Definitely worth a look - it's a true story. Believe it or not.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
During the Cultural Revolution in China in the mid-1960s, a French diplomat falls in love with a singer in the Beijing Opera. Interwoven with allusions to the Puccini opera "Madama Butterfly", a story of love and betrayal unfolds.
Cast & Characters
Jeremy Irons as Rene Gallimard;
John Lone as Song Liling;
Barbara Sukowa as Jeanne Gallimard;
Ian Richardson as Ambassador Toulon;
Annabel Leventon as Frau Baden;
Shizuko Hoshi as Comrade Chin;
Richard McMillan as Embassy Colleague;
Vernon Dobtcheff as Agent Etancelin;
David Hemblen as Intelligence Officer #1;
Damir Andrei as Intelligence Officer #2;
Antony Parr as Intelligence Officer #3;
Margaret Ma as Song's Maid;
Tristram Jellinek as Defense attorney;
Philip McGough as Prosecution attorney;
David Neal as Judge