Farewell My Concubine

In 1924, Beijing, the youthful Dou Zi and Shi Tou were brought together under the thumb of the strict master of a small acting troupe. It quickly becomes apparent that these are the most talented of the master's pupils, and he pushes them harder than his other students. Thirteen years later, their suffering has paid off. Dou Zi, now going by the name of Chen Die Yi, and Shi Tou, called Duan Xiao Lou, are major opera stars, and their production, "Farewell My Concubine", is nationally known. The two are inseparable until the woman Ju Xian comes between them.
(Source: James Berardinelli at reelviews.net)
~~ Adapted from the novel "Farewell My Concubine" (霸王别姬) by Lilian Lee Pik Wah (李碧華).