When Douzi kept flubbing his line

Wow, I hadn't even considered the part about Shi Tou (I was thinking he finally just gave in after having his tooth pulled out) but you may be onto something. So, are you saying that Douzi was not willing to label himself a girl for the part, even after taking several beatings and risking losing the Opera gig but once he saw Shi Tou get angry, he finally gave in? That makes alot of sense to me, being that Shi Tou was his life's love. Now why didn't that dawn on me?

The first time I watched the film, the sense I got was that Douzi didn't want to label himself a girl and intentionally kept flubbing the line in an attempt to rebel his adrogynous role in the Opera. It seemed like he just wasn't willing to call himself a girl, even after several lashings. After the second and third viewing, I began to question it, though because it wasn't really clear whether or not he was intentionally messing up or he just couldn't seem to get it right. I think after that many ass whoopings, I would damn well say the line right............unless I was adamant that I was a "boy" and wouldn't give in. Perhaps that part of the film is up to your own interpretation but I like your take on it and think it's the most likely.

Thanks for the reply! This film, IMO, is the finest film ever made. I only wish I'd seen it sooner and could have kept up with Leslie Cheung's work when he was still alive. After learning that he died by his own hand in real life, the ending of this film became that much more bittersweet. It's almost painful to watch but you just can't turn away.

Baba mi Ogun modupue

I also addressed the subject of why Douzi killed himself so many years later on that other thread.

Since posting this thread, I've watched the film several more times and gotten a better understanding as to why Douzi kept messing up the line. I have nothing but great things to say about this movie- It is the best I've ever seen. Even better than the book, IMO. Which do you prefer?

Baba mi Ogun modupue

Homosexuality wasn't necessarily considered outrageous in traditional Chinese culture. In the historic period of the original opera, late Warring States era, homosexuality was quite normal, open and even fashionable, especially among the nobility and literate class. It wasn't egalitarian, respective sexual roles were expected, and sons were still expected to procreate and carry on the family name. It became less accepted when the culture became more conservative. but even by later dynasties, western missionaries were shocked by the openness of homosexuality in China. By the 1920's, it was probably even less accepted, due in part of western cultural influences. But even then, as portrayed in the film, crossdressing actors such as Douzi were very popular and often had numerous male suitors/patrons.
I don't consider this a gay film. To me, homosexuality/transgender is portrayed as unnatural and ultimately tragic.
Why did Douzi kill himself in the end? I think it was for the same reason the concubine in the opera killed herself.