Year of the Dragon (1985): Michael Cimino's Controversial Chinatown Gangster Tale

Is Year of the Dragon a controversial mess or an overlooked masterpiece?An action thriller, Year of the Dragon is, at times, shocking and still controversial.After the failure of the epic western Heaven's Gate, which nearly ruined Academy Award-winning director Michael Cimino's (The Deer Hunter) career, Year of the Dragon was set to be his comeback. But it wasn't really to be.Starring Mickey Rourke and John Lone, the movie has a script from Cimino and Oliver Stone (Scarface). A newly assigned Chinatown Police Captain goes up against a young, rising Chinese Triad member ready to take power. As their battle continues, the situation becomes increasingly personal between the two.The film did only okay business at the worldwide box office. Still, over time, it has emerged as a cult favorite among some audiences.Featuring a complete replica of Manhattan Chinatown, a gripping score, and arresting cinematography, it's not hard to see why.But the film remains mired in controversy and divides opinion.Join me for this episode as we delve into the fierce rivalry between the leads, the film's sudden and unexpected explosions into violence, and unpacking the controversial way it handles its characters' treatment of Chinese Americans.Directed by Michael Cimino. Written by Oliver Stone and Michael Cimino. Starring Mickey Rourke, John Lone, and Ariane.Connect with us on Bluesky:@not-ni-theaters.bsky.socialAnd to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com