The movies on this page all feature the Chinese actress Gong Li. For most of her career she worked with director Zhang Yimou to make some of the best movies I have ever seen. Recently she has been working with director Chen Kaige on equally impressive films. Her latest film is "The Chinese Box" co-starring Jeremy Irons and directed by Wayne Wang, which takes place in Hong Kong during the 1997 Handover. I have not yet seen it, but look forward to seeing her in a modern setting and speaking English. If you have seen it, feel free to email me with your review.
Raise the Red Lantern -- Starring Gong Li and Ma Jingwu. Directed by Zhang Yimou. Subtitled. 1991. My favorite Gong Li movie so far. Her character becomes the fourth wife to a wealthy man and quickly catches on to the tricks the other three wives use to gain household privileges. This movie uses two of my preferred plot devices - a flawed main character and an unhappy ending.
Farewell My Concubine -- Starring Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi and Gong Li. Directed by Chen Kaige. Subtitled. 1993. Gong Li plays a supporting role in this movie about two men who become stars in the Peking Opera. Their lifelong friendship is threatened when one man falls in love with Gong Li's character. The classic love triangle of "he loves her but she loves him" is changed to "he loves him but he loves her". Get it?
To Live -- Starring Gong Li and Ge You. Directed by Zhang Yimou. Subtitled. 1994. The story of how a marriage survives from the husband's gambling problem in the 1920s through hardships and political changes through to the 1970s. A great look at the social history of China, and a great performance by actor Ge You.
Ju Dou -- Starring Gong Li and Li Wei. Directed by Zhang Yimou. Subtitled. 1990. Disregard the "Erotic!" claim on the cover - just a stupid marketing ploy, in my opinion. There's not even much nudity in this movie, just a lot of lust maybe. A young woman becomes the tortured wife of a cruel old man and begins a secret affair with his nephew. Another movie with flawed main characters and an unhappy ending to satisfy me.
The Story of Qiu Ju, Red Sorghum, Shanghai Triad, Temptress Moon -- Coming soon!
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Raise the Red Lantern -- Starring Gong Li and Ma Jingwu. Directed by Zhang Yimou. Subtitled. 1991. My favorite Gong Li movie so far. Her character becomes the fourth wife to a wealthy man and quickly catches on to the tricks the other three wives use to gain household privileges. This movie uses two of my preferred plot devices - a flawed main character and an unhappy ending.
