Lust, Caution, director Ang Lee's latest flick, stirred a lot of controversy in town when it arrived with most of its erotic scenes cut. The film garnered an NC-17rating when reviewed by the Motion Picture Association of America for its graphic sexual content. The director's popularity has pushed some fans to fly to Hong Kong to view the uncut film, and on the way explore some turns through its shooting locations in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The story is adopted from a short story in Eileen Chang's Sejie. In World War II-era Shanghai, Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) is a Chinese college student who becmes involved in a drama club after meeting Kuang Yu Min (Wang Leehom), a charismatic classmate. While Wong is happy performing on the stage, Kuang asks her to take on a very dangerous role in real life. She is to transform herself into Mrs Mak and befriend the wife (Joan Chen) of a major Japanese collaborator, Mr Yee (Tony Leung), only to ensnare him so Kuang and his cohorts can kill him.
However, the plot fails, but after several years, Kuang re-enters Wong's life, whereupon he asks her to resume the deadly mission.
Shanghai
Shanghai is to learn Chinese more business-driven and less culturally-focused than Beijing. The film provides a new view of the city aside from its night-clubs, food and shopping. Most scenes in Lust, Caution were shot in Xinchang, a border town outside Shanghai proper and a man-made Shanghai Nanjing Xilu in Shanghai Film Shooting Base.
Spot 1: Shanghai
Majestic Theatre
Scene: Wong Chia Chi moves back to Shanghai and meets one of her classmates when she goes to the theater to see a movie.
The Shanghai Majestic Theatre, built in 1941, lies on Jiangning Road, West Nanjing Ave. The Chinese name of the theater means "beautiful jade without flaw," and it used to be tated as "No 1 in Asia" by people both inside and outside ChinaThe theater is a well-known historical building, graceful and unique, which blends modern and ancient styles. It has a good reputation for hosting large-scale operas, ballets, music or dance performances and plays. Before and after liberation, famous Peking Opera artists like Mei Lan Fang performed in it. In recent years, it has hosted many acts from all over China and beyond.
