THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN (1933)

Cast

Plot

Set in Shanghai during the Chinese Revolution, the storyline explores the relationship between a missionary, Megan, and a Chinese warlord, General Yen. It's refreshing to see Capra tackling something more alien to him than the struggles of idealistic American men and he seems to have taken a healthy interest in a culture that at the time was still shrouded in mystery and secrecy. The style of the film is infused with the Orient, from its zen-like mise en scene to the director's inclusion of cultural rituals, like the beautifully shot tea ceremony and an opium session. By far the most interesting character is Toshia Mori's Mah-Li, witness to Yen and Megan's taboo relationship, her quietness lends the film a truly ethereal quality. Of course, this was still the 30s so the chances of General Yen being played by (eeeek!) an actual Chinese actor were nil. Still, it's a remarkable film for its time, and well worth watching. Oh, and I think the Bitter Tea is a reference to Yen's love sauce... but you might not see it like that.