Juonikuvaukset(1)
American choreographer Coen has come to Beijing to stage a modern dance drama about a woman who would rather die than lose her freedom. But he is frustrated by his failure to find the right candidate for the title role. Ye Men is an orphan girl from the Wa ethnic tribe in southwestern China, adopted and brought up by a local woman in a free and easy atmosphere. One night during a village revel, Ye Men has a fight with the bullying princess of the tribe and cuts her face with a knife. Fearing the chief's revenge, Ye Men has to leave the village and bids farewell to her childhood sweetheart, Ai Yong, who has promised to take care of her and her foster grandma. Ye Men ends up in Beijing working in a restaurant as a waitress and singer, in an attempt to break away from tribal customs. Coen, who happens to be dining in the restaurant, witnesses how Ye Men handles a harassing male customer, and is duly impressed. He leaves his business card on the table. Ye Men shows up at Coen's rehearsal hall and accepts his offer to join his dance troupe, only to be plunged into her romantic and pathetic destiny with Coen in this Beijing version of Prosper Merimée's classic tale. (Montreal World Film Festival)
(lisää)