"Behind the Curtain" is a historical film jointly produced by New Kunlun Pictures Co., Ltd. and China Film Co-Production Company. On October 20, 1983, the film was released in Hong Kong, China. In 1984, Tony Leung won the Best Actor Award at the 3rd Hong Kong Film Awards for this film.
The main actors of "Hearing the Government Behind the Curtain" include Liu Xiaoqing, Liang Jiahui, Chen Ye, Zhou Jie, Zhang Tielin, etc. With the burning of the Old Summer Palace by the British and French allied forces as the background, it tells the story of Cixi from being elected to the palace to listening to the government behind the curtain.
Liu Xiaoqing as Cixi
The concubine of Emperor Xianfeng. After the death of Emperor Xianfeng, she became the queen mother and the actual ruler of the Qing Dynasty. If you are mean and ungrateful, you will be repaid for your harshness. Because Xianfeng favored Concubine Li, Cixi was jealous of being neglected and united with the concubines in the harem to instigate Empress Ci'an. After the death of Xianfeng, Cixi colluded with Prince Gong, removed Sushun and other eight ministers who were concerned about life, and began the stage of listening to politics behind the curtain.
Liang Jiahui as Xianfeng
The 9th emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the husband of Cixi. After the Second Opium War, Xianfeng crouched in the Rehe Palace, drinking and having sex all day long, hanging out with Concubine Li and others, and ignoring government affairs. On the day of celebrating his birthday, Xianfeng, who had been debauched for a long time and was weak inside, suddenly fell ill and was bedridden. When he was dying, Xianfeng summoned the prince and entrusted Gu Yu Sushun and other eight ministers. At the same time, he summoned Cixi and told her to work together with the queen.
Chen Ye as Ci'an
A man with a yellow banner in Manchuria and the queen of the Qing Dynasty. When Cixi and the concubines in the harem complained to Concubine Li in front of Ci'an, Ci'an severely reprimanded the concubines and secretly warned Concubine Li to be careful in her words and actions. After the death of Emperor Xianfeng, Ci'an became the Queen Mother of the Qing Dynasty. After Emperor Tongzhi ascended the throne, Ci'an and Cixi listened to politics behind the curtain together.
Zhou Jie plays Li Fei
She is the concubine of Emperor Xianfeng. She is charming, good at singing and dancing, and is deeply loved by Xianfeng. Because she did not take Ci Xi seriously, she became a thorn in Ci Xi's side. When Xianfeng was seriously ill, Concubine Li came to the Buddha Incense Pavilion to pray to the gods in order to pray for Xianfeng. Unexpectedly, she was captured by several guards and her whereabouts are unknown. Later, Cixi chopped off her hands and feet, put her in a jar, and suffered all kinds of humiliation.
Zhang Tielin as Prince Gong
Prince Gong, the sixth son of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty and half-brother of Xianfeng, was ostracized by the eight ministers due to his political disagreements and was despised as "Japanese Six" took the opportunity to attend the funeral in Rehe and colluded with the empress dowagers of the two palaces to bring down the eight ministers.