Xah Lee, 2004-12, 2008-03
In the movie 十面埋伏 (House of Flying Daggers↗) (amazon.com↗), there's is this song 佳人歌 (The Beauty Song), which is a poem written around 80 BCE, and is the theme the movie is based on. Here's the lyrics.
Date：~80 BCE Author：李延年↗ (Li Yannian ↗) English translation: Xah Lee
北方有佳人, 絕世而獨立。 一顧傾人城, 再顧傾人国。 寧不知倾城与倾国。 佳人難再得。 |
In the North there's a lady, stunning and singular. One look confounds a city; a touch dooms an empire. Rather not wishing to know, the ruination that may follow. Rare beauty is here and now. |
This song is sung by the actress 章子怡↗ (Zhang Ziyi↗) (b1979) herself in the film.
YouTube search: The Beauty Song,house of flying daggers↗
YouTube search: 北方有佳人↗
This is a gravely beautiful poem, perhaps the most beautiful in praising the beauty of a woman.
For scholarly essay about this poem, see 北方有佳人↗ by 潘啸龙.
The English translation in the DVD i'm watching goes thus:
a rare beauty in the North, she's the finest lady on earth a glance from her, the whole city goes down a second glance leaves the nation in ruins there exists no city or nation, that has been more cherished than a beauty like this.
This translation does not do the poem justice. It's rather crude and rash, and missing meanings and the sublime and weight of the poem's essence.
Wikipedia on Li Yannian (musician)↗ gives this translation, which i think is faithful to the original and high quality.
In the north there is a beauty: Surpassing the world, she stands alone. A glance from her will overthrow a city; A second glance will overthrow the State. Don't I know she can overthrow the city and the State? But such a beauty cannot be found again!
Here are some Screenshots from the movie:
above: Full Size. This dance scene in the beginning of the film is the cream of the movie.
above: Full Size. Note the florid and elaborate dress. Also note the extremely ornate Chinese setting. I wonder, if the setting reflects any genuine Chinese palace in the past in terms of richness or style, or, was it purely a fictional fancy. Also note the gorgeous parquetry or paint on the floor, and the delicate rose deco in each and every drum. (are these drums pure fiction? i think i've never touched the concept of drums with painted face)
above: Full Size. Note the beautiful, delicate costume. In particular, the mathematics of weaving of the hat.
Photo source: http://www.helloziyi.us/Galleries/hofd-hq.htm (accessed on 2006-07-30). This is a huge fan site, with hundreds of high-quality photos, and video clips and songs, etc of the actress 章子怡 (Zhang Ziyi).
Another beautiful song in this movie, is one callde Lovers, sung by Kathleen Battle↗.
YouTube search: Lovers,Kathleen Battle↗
There was a field in my old town Where we always played hand in hand The wind was gently touching the grass We were so young so fearless Then I dreamt over and over of you holding me tight under the stars I made a promise to my dear Lord I will love you forever Time has passed So much has changed But the field remains in my heart Oh where are you? Ineed to tell you I still love you So I reach out for you You fly around me like a butterfly Your voice still echoes in my heart You are my true love
Though, the lyrics has little to do with the film, and little poetic quality.
Related essays:
Page created: 2004-12. © 2004 by Xah Lee. (excluding mirrored pages or images.)
