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Lessons from The Last Emperor (1987): Power, Treachery, and the Fall of China
Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor tells the tragic story of Puyi, the final emperor of China, from his coronation as a child to his downfall in the communist era. The film is not just a biographical epic – it’s a meditation on power, treachery, and the illusions of control. More than a historical drama, it provides key lessons on leadership, betrayal, and why China wasn’t “saved” in the early 20th century.
- Power Without Agency is an Illusion
One of the most striking moments in The Last Emperor is when the young Puyi discovers that, despite being the “Son of Heaven,” he has no real authority beyond the Forbidden City. The Qing Dynasty had already collapsed, and his rule was symbolic rather than practical. This highlights a common lesson in leadership:
Title alone does not equate to control.
Throughout history, many rulers have held nominal power while real authority was exercised elsewhere – whether by bureaucrats, military figures, or foreign powers. Puyi’s experience mirrors what happens when a leader is disconnected from the mechanisms of power.
• In sports coaching, this is akin to a head coach without influence over player selection or tactics.
• In business, it resembles a CEO constrained by investors and board members.
A leader must have both title and influence – otherwise, they are just a puppet.
