Palace of Desire: Story Behind the Stage is a 6-minute documentary conceived, created and edited by Jinjing Zhao, Yuping Wang and Yuritiani Hepi. It follows the journey of ‘Cathay Play House’, a Chinese theatre community in the production of their 10th year anniversary performance. Adopted from the TV series, Palace of Desire is not just an ordinary imperial court drama. In the grand scheme of history, the spotlight is re-focused on individual lives. The Tang Dynasty is the longest period in which China remained unified, when the nation’s power was at its strongest. With the death of Empress Wu Zetian in 705 BC, power is returned to the family of Li and Emperor Li Xian takes the throne. But power is not easily sustained and plotting for the downfall of the Emperor never ceases. Li’s only hope of the conflicts being settled is with the help of Princess Taiping, daughter of Empress Wu Zetian. The play takes the bare structures of these historical figures and fantasies ideal personalities to present them in a more understanding light.
