Dinner and a Movie: The Last Emperor

Movies and food are two of the things we do best at SBS, and you can now enjoy the best of both worlds in this new column matching delicious recipes with soul-nourishing films.

The Last Emperor (1987). Source: SBS Movies

Bernardo Bertolucci's epic account of the life of China's final Emperor, Pu Yi, won an impressive 9 Oscars in 1988.

This lavish production, which was shot in the Forbidden City, follows Pu Yi's ascent to the throne as small boy, through to the tumultuous circumstances of his abdication, and eventual slide into anonymity in Communist China.

In an early scene of the movie, the teenage emperor invites his Scottish tutor Reginald 'R. J.' Johnston (the late Peter O'Toole), assigned to teach him about Western culture, to share his meal.

An an army of waiters enter his quarters, the official food taster ("A brave man," says Pu Yi) samples every single dish, deciding on its fate with a nod or a grimace.

Source: SBS Movies

As this odd spectacle unfolds under R. J.'s bemused gaze, the young emperor explains to him its necessity, given a number of his predecessors have fallen victim to poisoning.

Source: SBS Movies

The scene ends as it began, with a well-rehearsed display of deference.

Source: SBS Movies

With a nod to Pu Yi's vegetarianism, we've selected this easy and beautifully spicy Vegetarian Mapo Tofu from our friends at SBS Food. It's quick and easy to prepare and is so delicious it will satisfy even the fussiest of food testers. Why not make it and then settle in to watch The Last Emperor at SBS On Demand?