While most people view Hollywood as the center of all things
film there are some amazing movies coming out of countries like China that are
getting released through companies like Well Go. These movies contain moving
stories, well done special effects and some stunning cinematography. One such
film is THE LEGEND OF THE DEMON CAT.
Taking place during the Tang Dynasty it involves a
convoluted tale about a cat that mysteriously arrives and blesses a woman named
Chunqin (Kitty Zhang Yuqi), the wife of Yunqiao
(Qin Hao) the captain of the guard, with a pot of money in her yard. She
shares this wealth with her husband and the film moves in a completely
different direction.
Japanese Buddhist monk Kukai (Shota Sometani)
has just arrived to study Chinese culture and find some scrolls and is
called in to help Emperor Xuanzong (Zhang Luyi), who has been
possessed. Unfortunately he arrives too late. He is provided help in the
form of court poet Bai Letian (Huang Xuan). Together they follow
a trail of clues to determine what happened and why.
As they look into things their path journey takes them down
many paths. One is the mysterious fish eye eating cat that provided money to
Yunqiao. Yunqiao used some of the money for a night at the brothel with his
men. It is there the cat attacks killing one of the women there and seeking a
return for his gift.
Eventually the clues leads them to the legend of Concubine
Yang Guifei, considered to be the most beautiful woman in
the world and consort to Emperor Xuanzong. As consort to
the ruler she was treasured above all things but died mysteriously. It is her
story that has been the focus of Bai’s treasured poem.
What was the cause of her death? How did it come to affect
what is transpiring in the present? And what connection is there between Yang
and the demon cat? Much of this we learn of in a flashback sequence that shows
what transpired the night of her death. But not all answers are revealed at
once.
The movie is a well thought out story, taken from author Baku Yumemakura’s novel, providing the clues necessary to solve
the problem in a methodical fashion that holds the viewer’s attention from
start to finish. Combined with solid acting from all involved as well as the
most sumptuous sets imaginable and the most spectacular visual feast provided
by cinematographer Yu Cao this is a movie that will captivate you if given the
chance.
A co-production between Chinese and Japanese studios this
film was said to be one of the most expensive productions they’ve offered.
Every penny shows up on screen and results in a beautiful film.
So many will pass by films like these, afraid to deal with
subtitles or movies that offer stories that are unfamiliar or literally foreign
to them. This release and more from Well Go are a wonderful way to expose
yourself to films from Asia. This one is dubbed making it even more accessible.
I would highly suggest watching this one to enjoy every bit of it start to
finish. You might surprise yourself and enjoy it as much as I did.
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