On Monday, September 21 at 7:00 PM in Peacock Hall, the Rossmoor Shakespeare
Society will present a spectacular Chinese version of “Hamlet.”
“The Legend of the Black Scorpion”
is a tale of lust, greed, and betrayal set in ancient China. Li murders his brother the emperor, marries the widow Wan, and
takes over the throne. The son of the murdered emperor, Wu Luan, seeking to avenge his father’s death, plans to strike
at a lavish banquet hosted by Li. The epic film is also known as “The Banquet.”
Directed by Feng Xiaogang,
the film is regarded as one of the most beautiful movies ever made with lush wardrobes at the court, ballet-like choreography
in the slow motion fight scenes, and sweeping camerawork.
The delicately beautiful Ziyi Zhang plays the ‘Gertrude’
role (Empress Wan). With superb art direction by Tim Yip, excellent cinematography by Li Zhang, striking fight sequences by
Yuen Wo-Ping, and a fine score by Tan Dun, the 129 minute film is a stunning retelling of Shakespeare’s "Hamlet."
All Rossmoor residents and their guests are welcome.