Abstract
David Cronenberg’s M. Butterfly (1993) tells the story of René Gallimard, a French diplomat, and Song Liling, a Peking opera performer who is later revealed to be a spy. Their 20-year affair unfolds with Gallimard unaware of Song’s true identity as a man. This essay will explore the view of gender through Gallimard’s expectations of eastern women. It will also examine how Song’s “gender change” challenges the traditional gender concepts at the time. Additionally, the essay will analyze the criticism from the director of Gallimard’s “male gaze”, and how the director, as a man, unavoidably has some extent of “male gaze” in narration. Finally, the essay will compare M. Butterfly with the other film about gender fluidity in the Chinese context - Farewell My Concubine.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
