| Chor Yuen proved already in 1972 that class, style and thought could fit into a period, softcore erotica vehicle. The film was the legendary Intimate Confessions Of A Chinese Courtesan (later reinterpreted by Chu as Lust For Love Of A Chinese Courtesan). Following in the grand footsteps of the groundbreaking effort is Eddie Fong's feature debut An Amorous Woman Of Tang Dynasty. The marvelous and adventurous Pat Ha plays Yu Yuan-Gi, a Taoist priestess/poetess and the lady of a house full of maids that provide company for men. Yu desires to break herself out of the traditional female role of the dynasty, starting with a sexual encounter with wandering swordsman Tsui Pok-Hau (Alex Man)...
Eddie Fong brings the elegance, working with superb cinematography, music and art direction for his very feministic oriented period erotica piece. Told in spare and subtle fashion, Yu's educated views in her obstacle filled journey results in many things not normally associated with Category III rated movies. Dialogue is intelligent and poetic, subject matter not a springboard for pure exploitation and in the end, Fong's inclusion of fairly graphic sex scenes are more than justified and part of a enchanting whole. Ku Feng, Chang Kuo Chu and and Lam Hoi Ling co-stars.
Reportedly, Fong's director's cut of approximately 180 minutes played in Taiwan but that version isn't obtainable at the time of writing. |
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