The Last Emperor of China

"The Last Emperor" is the story of a man who was never truly free. Crowned emperor at the age of three, Puyi lived through the collapse of imperial China, revolution, war, foreign occupation, imprisonment, and political re-education. His life mirrors one of the most turbulent centuries in Chinese history. Follow me on IG:   / ken_zerotohero   Tiktok:   / ken_zerotohero   Join Discord server:   / discord   In this video essay, I explore: Puyi’s life inside the Forbidden City as a symbolic ruler His manipulation by Imperial Japan and role in Manchukuo The tragedy of his marriage to Wanrong His testimony at the Tokyo Trials and later re-education And how "The Last Emperor" became the only Western film ever allowed to shoot inside the Forbidden City Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, the film was made during a rare moment of openness in 1980s China. Winning nine Academy Awards and leaving behind a legacy that could never be repeated today. Sources & References: "The Last Empire" 1987 Film. "Twilight in the Forbidden City" by Reginald Johnston "From Emperor to Citizen" by Puyi Archival records on Manchukuo, the Xinhai Revolution, and the Tokyo Trials Fair Use Notice: This video includes brief clips used solely for the purposes of commentary, criticism, education, and historical analysis under fair use. 0:00 Intro 0:46 Young Pu Yi 3:47 Working with the Japanese 5:26 Testify in the Tokyo Trial 6:17 China Labor Camp 6:47 Cultural Revolution 7:15 Book Recommendation 7:42 Production of the film Music and Sound FX from: https://share.epidemicsound.com/o5v18d The easiest way to emulate film on Davinci Resolve: https://www.dehancer.com/ Use "KENDFILMS" for 10% off. My main camera: https://amzn.to/3XtMYON All around lens: https://amzn.to/3Q1z82l Cheap prime lens: https://amzn.to/4mOrCWV Ultra wide prime: https://amzn.to/45UO2jz Rokinon 14mm f/2.8: https://amzn.to/41EzHFA My main portable light: https://amzn.to/4p7x0Gx AnkerWork M650 (Lav Mic): https://amzn.to/4fzhDBs Rode NT-1 Condenser Mic: https://amzn.to/4d7SUDw Rode Videomic Go II: https://amzn.to/3vO8Iuh Andycine A6 II field monitor: https://amzn.to/3vGiCy8 Neewer LED light panels: https://amzn.to/4cZxwjy Viltrox RGB Light panels: https://amzn.to/4hPrcxH LG 32in 4K monitor: https://amzn.to/4ayzXYV Follow me on IG:   / ken_zerotohero   Tiktok:   / ken_zerotohero   Join Discord server:   / discord   About me: https://www.kendai.me/