A Thousand Universes

Zhang Ziyi in Feng Xiaogang's The Banquet

Authors

  • Woodrow B. Hood Catawba College

Abstract

Cluster: Asian Shakespeares on Screen: Two Films in Perspective

Edited by Alexa Huang

Beyond its lush cinematography, wuxia wire acrobatics, eye candy costumes, and million yuan sets, Feng Xiaogang's 2006 film, The Banquet, presents more than a Chinese reimagining of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The film recenters the play by switching the locus of the protagonist from Shakespeare's titular character to the generally subordinate character of Gertrude. Though the switch creates some clearly problematic gender issues, Zhang Ziyi's intricate performance as Empress Wan offers potential for multiple interpretations.

Author Biography

Woodrow B. Hood, Catawba College

Woodrow B. Hood is Associate Professor and Chair of Theatre Arts at Catawba College in North Carolina. He is co-author of Theatre: Its Art and Craft and has an article in the recently published Women in American Musical Theatre. He has also published articles in publications such as Theatre Topics, Theatre Journal, PAJ (Performing Arts Journal), Postmodern Culture, The Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, and Theatre Forum. He regularly teaches classes in East Asian film, theater, and performance.

ssue Cover text: B&L, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2009. Image: Two dancers from a still from The Banquet pose with their faces close together.

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Published

2009-05-01

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2009): Spring/Summer

Section

Articles