Ang Lee returned to Chinese language themes for 2007’s “Lust, Warning,” an intense story about intercourse, love, and gender throughout wartime. Based mostly on a narrative by Eileen Chang, the movie follows a younger Chinese language girl named Chia Chi (Tang Wei), who’s tasked with seducing Mr. Yee (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), an agent of Japan’s puppet authorities throughout World Warfare II, in order that her allies can assassinate him. As their relationship turns into extra affectionate, she develops emotions for Yee. Finally, she warns him in the meanwhile earlier than the deliberate assassination, resulting in her loss of life and the deaths of her allies.

The movie explores Chia Chi’s relationship along with her sexuality and her conflicted emotions about utilizing intercourse within the service of her nation. Archaic male attitudes towards intercourse are additionally on show, and Yee’s first sexual encounter with Chia Chi is rape. That the story progresses from there to Chia Chi falling for him has made the film controversial amongst some viewers, and the rape scene itself will be onerous to look at regardless. The film was rather more controversial as a result of the express scenes are largely absent in Chang’s authentic story.

Nonetheless, Ang Lee definitely is not an exploitation filmmaker, and even when you do not like what the movie has to say about intercourse and gender (or when you discover the message muddled), there is no doubt that Lee got here to the challenge with one thing to say.

Should you or anybody you recognize has been a sufferer of sexual assault, assist is accessible. Go to the Rape, Abuse & Incest Nationwide Community web site or contact RAINN’s Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).