Friday, January 18, 2008

Henry PuYi

Henry PuYi is the last emperor of China.  Chosen by Dowager Empress Cixi while on her deathbed, Puyi ascended the throne at age 2 years 10 months in December 1908 following his uncle's death on November 14.  There was no choice because he was the last line of the Manchu Dynasty.  The adults in his life, save his wet-nurse Mrs. Wang, were all strangers, remote, distant, and unable to discipline him.  He somehow enjoyed his young life as an emperor because he did everything that he could wish to do.  

At the age of 16, Puyi married two women. His first choice for wife was Wen Xiu ,whom court officials deemed not beautiful enough to be an Empress; Wen Xiu was designated as a concubine, and eventually divorced him in 1931. Puyi's second choice, a Manchu named Wan Rong , became the Empress; she later became addicted to opium, and died in a Chinese prison.

As a matter of fact, the film " the last emperor" was taken inside the Forbidden City.  It took a very long time to finish the film.  All the hard work they did was worth it.  By the way, this was the very 1st film taken inside the Forbidden City.

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