In the late ’80s, when Hong Kong cinema was in the midst of a renaissance, changes were necessary. Action films seemed to be allowed to do most anything, with the “Heroic Bloodshed” subgenre making waves all around the world. Certain restrictions had to be imposed on the harder films; those that featured gore, heavy drug use, explicit language, or strong sexual scenes were the primary targets.
A rating system would be used, and exploitation films across numerous genres would be labeled Category III. Some of the more recognizable titles include Dr. Lamb (1992), Run and Kill (1993), and Naked Killer (1992), all of which push the boundaries of what Western audiences associate with the NC-17 rating. 88 Films, the leader in bringing the highest-quality titles to premium Blu-ray, has just released Sex and the Emperor (1994), a lesser-known title that is just as wild.
During the turn-of-the-century in China, Li Liyang (Leung Si-Ho), is a palace eunuch harboring a rather unusual secret that comes in handy when he falls for a beautiful concubine. Meanwhile, the inexperienced Emperor Tongzhi (Sung Boon-Chung) finds himself smitten with a chambermaid, much to the displeasure of his domineering mother, the Empress Dowager.
When a jealous court eunuch spreads vicious rumors, the young woman is sold into a brothel run by kung fu prostitutes, where she learns some extraordinary bedroom skills. As the Emperor searches for his lost love, palace intrigue, sexual shenanigans, and madness collide.
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Directed by Sherman Wong, Sex and the Emperor plays out like a comedic sex romp before shifting into darker territory in the final act. Sex & Zen (1991) opened the floodgates for films like this during that unforgettable era, though many of the imitators were just that, forgettable.
Sex and the Emperor benefits from impressive cinematography, a wicked sense of humor, solid acting, and a dramatic arc that’s surprisingly gripping. There’s plenty of softcore sex, mostly played for laughs. One particular moment of naked calligraphy struck a chord because it was something I’d seen on a mixtape many years ago and never knew which film it came from.
As with most 88 Films releases, there’s an impressive number of extras to help viewers better understand the film and the environment from which it was born.
- O-Ring Slip Case With New Artwork by Sean Longmore
- 2K Restoration From the Original Negative
- Remastered Original Cantonese Monoaural Soundtrack
- Newly Translated English Subtitles
- English Dub Soundtrack
- Audio Commentary with Asian Cinema David West
- If This Castle A-Rocking – James Mudge on Sex and the Emperor
- English Title Sequence
- Image Gallery
- Original Hong Kong Trailer
- Reversible Sleeve
Sex and the Emperor is a pretty uneven film. Still, there’s something that elevates it a smidge above its contemporaries. It has genuinely funny moments and is still able to strike a dramatic chord.
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