In costume dramas with ancient backgrounds, it is a common plot setting for actresses to play male roles. Audiences have become accustomed to admiring the tradition of actresses appearing in men's clothing, however, behind this phenomenon is not only the skill of clothing and makeup, but also the all-round challenge of the actor's appearance. Yang Zi appears as a male pharmacist in her new drama "Sauvignon Blanc", and her look has attracted a lot of attention - both the feminine softness that looms under the menswear styling, and the fashionable modernity that breaks the gender line. This makes people wonder how actresses can make their looks fit both in line with the role setting and meet the audience's expectations for authenticity when they are in the men's role of a costume drama.
What is remarkable is Min Xiaoliu played by Yang Zi, whose makeup is so exquisite that it is almost a perfect example of femininity. From the delicate drawing of eyeliner to the warm-toned eyeshadow, it gives a modern make-up look at first glance. Especially in close-up shots, the pink blush and well-defined false eyelashes are exquisitely crafted, far from the traditional male image. At this point, Yang Zi's style is like a mirror, reflecting the industry's understanding of women's menswear - even if she is playing a male role, she still needs to retain a certain degree of feminine charm.
In stark contrast to Yang Zi's delicate menswear image, it is other actresses' attempts to play similar roles. For example, Ju Jingyi's appearance in "Beautiful Scholar", although her eyes are full of agility, they are slightly too delicate under the blessing of heavy makeup. This semi-permanent nature of the makeup, as if a modern woman had inadvertently traveled back in time, is very different from the simplicity and roughness of the character.
In this regard, Liu Yifei's men's image in "Mulan" can be called a successful model. She abandons a delicate cut, her eyebrows are slightly rough and unkempt, and her eye makeup is clear and concise. This look is no different from the image of a soldier who has survived the war, and it can almost perfectly blend in with the man. Liu Yifei's example proves to us that appropriate menswear styling should not only pursue gender ambiguity in appearance, but more importantly, the fit between the image and the internal characteristics of the character.
Although the looks of actresses in costume dramas when they play male roles are much discussed, unfortunately, these discussions often stay at the surface level. Dressing as a man shouldn't just be used as a means to attract attention, but should delve into the story and character behind the character. We expect the actors to be able to bring out the three-dimensional sense of the characters, rather than simply trying to capture the audience's attention with a thin layer of makeup and costumes. Today, when appearance and traffic dominate the screen, it seems that the "fake man" shape of costume dramas should also be temporarily lowered, giving way to the shaping of the character closer to the essence of the character and more in-depth acting skills.
After all, the audience's investment in the plot needs not only good looks and glamorous pictures, but more importantly, a convincing and true story. When actresses create men's characters, they should pursue the true docking of their shapes and characters' personalities, and use more exquisite performances to give life to the characters, rather than relying solely on external dresses. This will be a sublimation of personal acting skills, and it will also be a respect for the audience's aesthetics. I hope that in the future works, we can see more men's clothing performances that can not only present history and culture, but also touch the heartstrings of the audience, so that film and television works are not only gorgeous on the face, but also become a carrier for in-depth exploration of human nature and history.