M Butterfly: a screenplay about espionage and deception

Butterfly Screen Play

M Butterfly Movie Proposal

Log Line

Rene Gallimard, the assistant to the ambassador of China, is the victim of a terrible and malicious rouse to obtain classified information. Lured into a romantic relationship with the woman Song Liling who he later discovers to be a cold, cruel manipulative and male spy. This comedic story, told from Rene's perspective reveals just how far a spy will go to complete his mission.

Treatment

Within a dank, drab french prison cell, Rene Gallimard welcomes the viewer as a visitor. He explains that he is imprisoned for committing life's greatest sin, he loved too much. Rene's appearance is disheveled and he seems very quirky to the viewers. After realizing that is guests are wondering what he is talking about, he invites them to sit down and listen to his story.

The story begins with Rene, a college student who studied and worked hard to please his parents. Rene was a typical college nerd. He would always attempt to flirt with women, but his attempts were quickly squelched by other more masculine men. Realizing that Rene is just not cut out for courting women, he resolves to study hard and make a life of his career. Much to his surprise, a young woman has become interested in him. She is strong and sees great potential in Rene, so she tolerates his awkward behavior. The couple marries and his wife helps Rene gain employment with the French Embassy in China.

In an office next to the embassy, the Chinese are attempting to somehow gain access to the confidential information regarding the French's plans for China. Realizing that the French appear to be planning something, Commarade Chin employs the help of one of China's best spys, Song Liling. Song's assignment is to somehow gain access to the embassy through the embassy's newest member, Rene. So immediately Song begins researching Rene and hashes out a plan to strike up an affair with the man. The key to Song's plan is to convince Rene that he is a misunderstood woman. Song already knows that Rene is not the brightest member of the embassy, so with the help of Chin, he creates his disguise.

Knowing how much Rene loves the opera, Chin works with the local opera house to have Song impersonate an opera diva on the night when Rene is seeing the opera "Madame Butterfly." The plan works and Rene is taken aback by this talented opera diva. Rene goes to speak with Song after the performance where Song uses all of his "feminine" charms among them his ability to use an effective falsetto voice and bat his eyes. Rene is so flattered by the flirting that he is instantly charmed and decides to sneak away from his wife that night in order to have an affair with Song. Their love affair continues during the duration of Rene's stay in China. Unbeknownst to Rene, he is constantly revealing classified information to his lover who is reporting every word to Chin.

After a year at the embassy, Rene has a meeting with Manuel Toulin to discuss his plans for China. Horrified by Manuel's suggestions, Rene resigns and moves back to France with his soon-to-be ex-spouse who can now not even tolerate her husband.

After many years, Song is once again called into Chin's office and told that he must continue his affair with Rene in order to obtain more information for the government. This time Song is given a child and told to explain that the child is the result of their affair and should be adopted by Rene. Rene is stunned, but foolish as always so he believes the ploy and resumes his relationship with Song which continues for 15 years until Rene is arrested one day by the French police for treason.

Now Rene's memories shift to the trial where he was made a fool as Song reveals his true identity and admits that the entire plan had been a rouse. Rene is stunned and embarrassed beyond words as the evidence of his treason continues to surface.

After the trial scene ends, the viewers are back in Rene's cell where he explains that he has lived ever since.

Reference

Gomez, Isabel Seguaro. "M. Butterfly as Total Theatre." Universitat de Barcelona. Web.