Raise the Red Lantern [1991 film]

Zhang Yimou's rare gift was revealed in his brilliant debut entitled “Red Sorghum” (1987). By narrating historical events, both ancient and modern, he effortlessly lends relevance to the narrative. When we turn to current realities, we do not allow ourselves to forget for a moment that the past continues to influence important political, ideological, socioeconomic and cultural aspects of the present. The master’s fourth production, a film adaptation of Su Tong’s novel “Wives and Concubines” (1990), a classic of modern Chinese prose, is especially indicative in this regard. Zhang had enough tact and artistic talent to follow the censorship restrictions – by excluding elements that created the ground for “undesirable” show more allegories – without diluting the quintessence of the idea. The film, which caused a strong resonance at the Venice International Film Festival (although the Golden Lion went to Nikita Mikhalkov for Urga – Territory of Love /1991/), rightfully became one of the personifications of national cinematography of the last decade of the 20th century.

Let us appreciate the irony of the story. The red color of the lanterns lit and hung in the chambers of the wife with whom the master intends to spend the night has managed to acquire a different meaning: it began to be associated with the class principle. What began as minor family problems turns into a major scandal – and tragedy. The protagonist Songlian (Gong Li), whose state of mind is wonderfully conveyed by the selected music, cannot forgive herself for being the unwitting culprit of two deaths. Insanity has become a punishment and, in a way, a salvation... At the same time, it was naive to expect a quick change in the order – and that next summer another young woman, the fifth wife, would receive congratulations on her wedding day. The red lights will be turned on again. show less

Raise the Red Lantern is misschien wel de bekendste Chinese (niet-kungfu) speelfilm. Hij werd in 1991 uitgebracht en regisseur is Zhang Yimou.
Actrice Gong Li speelt de hoofdrol, als Songlian, een jonge vrouw die begin 20e eeuw wordt uitgehuwelijkt aan een rijke Chinees. Deze heeft nog enkele vrouwen, en door een rode lantaarn bij een bepaalde vleugel van het huis te laten hijsen geeft hij aan welke vrouw 's nachts bij hem mag komen. Een verhaal over rivaliteit; weinig plot maar des te meer sfeer en indringende beelden.

De opnames zijn gemaakt in het Qiao mansion, in de provincie Shanxi, nabij Pingyao; dit is een bekende toeristische trekpleister.

Deze DVD Raise the Red Lantern is in China uitgegeven, duurt 126 min., is Chinees gesproken show more en heeft Chinese en Engelse (GEEN Nederlandse) ondertitels.

TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vivaoPZhIH8 show less