There have been some truly incredible movies with Gong Li over the years, as the Chinese-Singaporean actress is considered one of the best Chinese actors of all time. Starting her career while still in college, Gong Li was cast as the lead in the 1987 film, Red Sorghum, which was the directorial debut of legendary Chinese director, Zhang Yimou. After that, Gong Li frequently appeared in Yimou’s films, working with the director eight different times.
- Who are Brandon Scott Parents? Meet Alvin Scott and Donna Scott
- Eyes Wide Shut Ending Explained, Plot, Cast and Trailer
- What Happened to Renovation Island? Is Renovation Island Coming Back?
- Who is Joe Locke Dating? Are Joe Locke and Sebastian Dating?
- Playboi Carti Ethnicity, What is Playboi Carti’s Ethnicity?
Despite being one of the most popular actors in China, Gong Li was hesitant to act in any Hollywood productions, finally making her English-language debut with Memoirs of a Geisha in 2005. Just one year later, she was in the underrated Michael Mann film, Miami Vice, playing opposite Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. In 2020, she had a part in the live-action Disney remake of one of their best movies, Mulan. Even with her foray into Hollywood, Gong Li continues to perform mostly in Chinese-language films, with her last appearance being the 2020 film, Leap.
You are watching: Gong Li’s 15 Best Movies Ranked
15
The Emperor And The Assassin (1998)
Gong Li as Lady Zhao
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
The Emperor and the Assassin
Gong Li stars as Lady Zhao in the 1998 film, The Emperor and the Assassin. The Chinese historical romance is primarily based on the assassination attempt of the King of Qin (Ying Zheng) in 227 BC. The film covers the career of Ying Zheng, revolving around three main incidents with the assassination attempt being one of the main focuses. It’s a beautiful film that won the Technical Grand Prize at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
Related
10 Unbelievable Scenes In Historical Movies That Are Accurate To Real-Life
From 2001’s Pearl Harbor to 2025’s Gladiator II, some movies set in the past had scenes that are hard to believe happened but actually did.
Posts
Gong Li is mesmerizing in The Emperor and the Assassin, imbuing Lady Zhao with a tender strength. As the concubine to the emperor and being sent on a dangerous mission, Lady Zhao must navigate the political landscape with grace and skill, and Gong Li does that incredibly well. Lady Zhao feels like a fully realized character, with a significant reason being Gong Li’s performance.
14
Temptress Moon (1996)
Gong Li as Pang Ruyi
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Temptress Moon
Temptress Moon, directed by Chen Kaige, is set in the 1920s and follows a wealthy family’s turbulent saga near Shanghai. As Ruyi is raised amid her family’s opium addiction, her brother-in-law Zhongliang’s illicit exploits in the city lead to a complex romance and ensuing conflict.
Released in 1996, Temptress Moon was the second film to star Gong Li alongside Leslie Cheung, following Farewell My Concubine just three years prior. This romantic drama revolves around a daughter taking over as the head of the Pang clan following the death of her father. When her brother-in-law returns to her estate following her father’s death, the two of them begin a whirlwind romance that affects those around them. The film was an Official Selection at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.
Gong Li stars as Pang Ruyi, the main character of the film whose dad dies, and she is tasked with taking over. Her performance is stunning throughout, and her chemistry with Lesli Cheung as Yu Zhongliang, her brother-in-law, is spectacular, really highlighting the messy romance that begins to form between the two characters. Ruyi is a complex character, and Gong Li nails her performance.
13
Curse Of The Golden Flower (2006)
Gong Li as Empress Phoenix
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Curse of the Golden Flower
R
ActionDocumentaryDramaFantasyRomance
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
December 14, 2006
Runtime
114 minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Chow Yun-Fat
, Li Gong
, Jay Chou
, Ye Liu
, Dahong Ni
, Junjie Qin
Director
Yimou Zhang
Curse of the Golden Flower was released in 2006 and was directed by Zhang Yimou, making it another collaboration between the director and Gong Li. This Wuxia historical epic was the most expensive Chinese film ever made at the time, focusing on the emperor of the Tang dynasty taking the princess of a neighboring province as his wife, and she goes on to bear him two sons. Secrets, betrayals, and power struggles highlight most of the conflict in the film, with some incredible action sequences featured throughout.
Following her foray into Hollywood, Curse of the Golden Flower was the first Chinese-language film released after that. Once again, Gong Li is mesmerizing in the film as Empress Phoenix. She is fantastic at playing these high-ranking characters in historical dramas and epics, and her performance in Curse of the Golden Flower is another showcase for her incredible talent. In fact, she won Best Actress at the 26th Hong Kong Film Awards for her performance.
12
Shanghai Triad (1995)
Gong Li as Xiao Jinbao
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Shanghai Triad
Shanghai Triad, directed by Zhang Yimou, follows young Shuisheng, who is sent to Shanghai in 1930 to serve Bijou, the mistress of the Tang Triad’s leader, Laoda. Amidst the power struggles, Shuisheng becomes entangled in the dangerous world of criminal rivalries and hidden adversaries.
Shanghai Triad was released in 1995 and was supposed to be the last collaboration between Gong Li and Zhang Yimou after they decided to part ways both professionally and romantically. It wasn’t until Curse of the Golden Flower 11 years later that the two would collaborate once more. Shanghai Triad is a crime drama set in Shanghai in the 1930s. The movie follows Tang Shuisheng over the course of seven days as he begins to make sense of the criminal underworld.
Gong Li and Zhang Yimou’s professional partnership had blossomed into a relationship after first working together on Red Sorghum.
Gong Li turns out another great performance as Xiao Jinbao, a nightclub singer and mistress of the Triad Boss. Tang Shuisheng becomes enamored with Gong Li’s character throughout the film, as he is assigned to serve her. Xiao Jinbao is a messy character throughout the film, but Gong Li gives her so much depth, making her a complex woman caught up in the madness of the situation.
11
Memoirs Of A Geisha (2005)
Gong Li as Hatsumomo
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Memoirs Of A Geisha
PG-13
DramaRomance
Memoirs of a Geisha is a film adaptation of Arthur Golden’s bestselling novel, directed by Rob Marshall. Set in 1920s Japan, it follows the life of a young girl named Chiyo who transitions into a renowned geisha called Sayuri. The story explores her struggles, relationships, and the intricate culture of geisha life. Starring Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, and Michelle Yeoh, the film delves into themes of beauty, sacrifice, and resilience.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
December 23, 2005
Runtime
145 Minutes
Cast
Ziyi Zhang
, Ken Watanabe
, Michelle Yeoh
, Suzuka Ohgo
, Togo Igawa
, Mako
, Samantha Futerman
, Elizabeth Sung
Director
Rob Marshall
Released in 2005, Memoirs of a Geisha was the first Hollywood production that Gong Li was cast in. The film is based on the novel of the same name by author, Arthur Golden. The story is about a young girl named Sayuri, who would go on to be one of the most famous geishas in Kyoto. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning three of them for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design.
Gong Li plays Hatsumomo in the film, a geisha and the main antagonist throughout. The casting of three non-Japanese actresses to play Japanese characters was controversial at the time, which included Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi. Still, Gong Li is incredible as Hatsumomo, giving her a hard edge that makes her such a great villain. Despite not being able to speak fluent English, Gong Li feels like a natural in Memoirs of a Geisha.
10
The Hand (2004)
Gong Li as Miss Hua
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
The Hand
The Hand, directed by Kar-Wai Wong, follows Zhang, a timid tailor’s assistant, who becomes captivated by his demanding client, Miss Hua. Their initial encounter leads to an intimate connection, deeply influencing their relationship and his work.
The Hand is a slightly different entry into Gong Li’s filmography as it was originally a segment in the anthology film, Eros. The Hand was directed by Hong Kong legend, Wong Kar-wai and was eventually given an individual release in 2020, 16 years after it was in Eros. The standalone release fleshed out the film more, making it longer in the process. The Hand revolves around a tailor’s assistant who begins falling for one of his clients.
The Hand came out in the same year that Gong Li worked with Wong Kar-wai on another film, 2046.
Gong Li is incredible in The Hand, fitting right in with Wong Kar-wai’s sensibilities as a director. She plays Miss Hua, a high-end sex worker who seduces Zhang, the tailor’s assistant, and the two begin to form a romantic relationship. Gong Li’s sophistication is on full display in the film, making her character a regal presence throughout, showing moments of vulnerability as the story progresses.
9
Coming Home (2014)
Gong Li as Feng Wanyu
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Coming Home
Coming Home, directed by Zhang Yimou, follows the story of Lu and Feng, a devoted couple separated when Lu is imprisoned during China’s Cultural Revolution. Upon his release, Lu returns home to discover that his wife, Feng, no longer remembers him, highlighting the enduring impact of political upheaval on personal lives.
Released in 2014, Coming Home is one of the more recent films to star Gong Li, despite coming out a decade ago. It is once again a collaboration between Gong Li and director Zhang Yimou and is based on the novel, The Criminal of Lu Yanshi by the author Geling Yan. Coming Home is a heart-wrenching movie about Lu Yanshi, a professor who was arrested and sent to a labor camp during the Cultural Revolution of the ’60s and ’70s. Upon returning home, Lu Yanshi finds his family in disarray.
It’s clear that Gong Li is incredibly comfortable working with Zhang Yimou, as she delivers a very strong performance in Coming Home as Feng Wanyu, wife to Lu Yanshi. She’s an emotionally taxing character and Gong Li navigates her trauma and complexity with grace, giving one of the film’s most heartbreaking performances in the process.
8
The Story Of Qiu Ju (1992)
Gong Li as Qiu Ju
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
The Story of Qiu Ju
PG
ComedyDrama
Release Date
August 31, 1992
Runtime
100 Minutes
Main Genre
Drama
Cast
Gong Li
, Liu Peiqi
, Liuchun Yang
, Lei Kesheng
, Ge Zhijun
, Wanqing Zhu
, Luowen Cui
, Huiqin Yang
, Jianfa Wang
, Zi Lin
Character(s)
Qiu Ju
, Wan Qinglai
, Meizi
, Wang Shantang
, Officer Li
Director
Zhang Yimou
Writers
Yuan Bin Chen
, Liu Heng
Expand
The Story of Qiu Ju was an earlier film in Gong Li’s career but was already the fourth collaboration with Zhang Yimou. Released in 1992, The Story of Qiu Ju, as the name implies, tells the story of the titular village peasant woman who travels to a big city, dealing with bureaucrats in hopes of finding justice for her husband who was kicked in the groin by the village head. This comedy-drama was a hit at film festivals, winning the coveted Golden Lion at the 1992 Venice Film Festival.
Given the task of playing Qiu Ju, the entire movie rests on Gong Li’s shoulders, and she takes the burden in stride, delivering a knock-out performance as the title character. During her travels, Qiu Ju begins to discover the wider world around her, as she attempts to navigate the complex Chinese legal system. It’s an emotionally satisfying performance that continued to show just how talented Gong Li was despite being early on in her career.
7
Red Sorghum (1987)
Gong Li as Jiu’er
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Red Sorghum
Red Sorghum, directed by Zhang Yimou, follows Jiu’er, who becomes the owner of a rural sorghum winery in China after her husband’s death. As she establishes a resilient community, they face challenges from Japanese invaders, symbolized by the regrowth of the sorghum fields.
Red Sorghum is the movie that kicked off Gong Li’s long and illustrious career. Released in 1987, it was her first role as well as the debut film of Zhang Yimou. Red Sorghum tells the story of a young woman working in a distillery for sorghum liquor. It was based on the first two parts of the novel of the same name by Mo Yan. Not only is Red Sorghum one of the most important films in Gong Li’s career, but it is also one of her strongest.
Narrated from the point of view of the protagonist’s grandson, Gong Li plays Jiu’er, or “My Grandma,” in Red Sorghum. Despite being her first film ever, it doesn’t feel like it, as Gong Li’s talent is already on full display, and her ability to make her characters emotionally vulnerable but also strong in the face of adversity is inspiring. It’s the perfect start to an incredible career.
6
Ju Dou (1990)
Gong Li as Ju Dou
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Ju Dou
Ju Dou, directed by Zhang Yimou, is set in rural China and follows a woman married to the cruel owner of a dye mill. She conceives a son with her husband’s nephew, navigating familial and societal constraints while maintaining her son’s secret lineage. The film explores themes of love and tradition.
Ju Dou tells the story of the titular young woman who is sold as a wife to Jinshan, a cruel and despicable cloth dyer who abuses her at every turn. Eventually, Ju Dou starts a sexual relationship with Jinshan’s adopted nephew, Yang Tianqing, whose affair gets increasingly tangled as the film progresses. The 1990 film was the second collaboration between director Zhang Yimou and Gong Li. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1991 Academy Awards.
It’s even more incredible that it was such an early career performance for Gong Li, as she commands every scene that she is in.
Gong Li is simply remarkable in Ju Dou, showing a level of vulnerability that gets to the heart of what makes Ju Dou such an amazing film. It’s even more incredible that it was such an early career performance, as Gong Li commands every scene that she is in. It’s a wonderfully tender performance that is up there with the best in her entire filmography.
5
Miami Vice (2006)
Gong Li as Isabella
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
See more : Paul Hollywood Ethnicity, What is Paul Hollywood’s Ethnicity?
Miami Vice
R
ActionCrimeDrama
Miami Vice is a 2006 film directed by Michael Mann, following undercover detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs as they navigate the dangerous world of drug lords and murder in South Florida, with Crockett becoming romantically involved with a trafficker’s wife.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
July 28, 2006
Runtime
132 Minutes
Cast
Colin Farrell
, Jamie Foxx
, Li Gong
, Naomie Harris
, Ciarán Hinds
, Justin Theroux
Director
Michael Mann
Underappreciated at the time of release, Michael Mann’s Miami Vice has aged incredibly well. The 2006 remake of the iconic 1980s TV show tells the story of Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs, two detectives who go undercover to infiltrate a drug trafficking organization. Like Mann’s Collateral two years prior, Miami Vice was shot on earlier digital cameras, making a beautifully unique-looking film that helped pave the way for digital filmmaking going forward.
Related
Bryan Cranston’s Breaking Bad Follow-Up Trending On Netflix Is A Great Reminder To Watch This Underrated 18-Year-Old Movie
Bryan Cranston’s 2016 crime thriller movie is trending on Netflix, and it’s a reminder to check out another underrated cartel crime drama.
Posts
1
Gong Li plays Isabella, business partner and girlfriend of Arcángel de Jesús Montoya, the kingpin of the drug trafficking organization that Sonny and Rico are infiltrating. She starts up a passionate love affair with Sonny, played by Colin Farrell, during the course of the film. Gong Li and Colin Farrell are electric together in Miami Vice, with their chemistry acting as the beating heart of the film. It wouldn’t work nearly as well if Farrell and Gong Li aren’t giving performances of a lifetime.
4
2046 (2004)
Gong Li as Su Li-Zhen
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
2046
R
DramaFantasyRomanceSci-Fi
2046, directed by Kar-Wai Wong, explores the life of a science fiction author as women enter and exit his world following the loss of his one true love. The film delves into themes of memory and longing within a richly stylized narrative.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
September 29, 2004
Runtime
129 minutes
Cast
Tony Leung Chiu Wai
, Li Gong
, Faye Wong
, Takuya Kimura
, Ziyi Zhang
, Carina Lau
Director
Kar-Wai Wong
Released in the same year as The Hand, Wong Kar-wai’s 2046 was actually the first collaboration between the director and Gong Li. 2046 is the final film in Wong Kar-wai’s “Love Trilogy”, which includes Days of Being Wild and the momentous In the Mood for Love, with 2046 acting as a loose sequel to these films. It’s arguably Wong Kar-wai’s most ambitious film, bringing together his entire filmography in surprising ways, set against two different time periods.
Gong Li plays Su Li-zhen in 2046, essentially a doppelgänger to Maggie Cheung’s Su Li-zhen, who appeared in all three films in the “Love Trilogy.” Gong Li’s Su Li-zhen is nicknamed “Black Spider” and is a professional gambler who gets involved with Tony Leung’s Chow Mo-wan, who is the film’s main character. Gong Li’s performance is perfect as the enigmatic Su Li-zhen, acting as another possible romantic connection that Leung’s character lets slip by during the course of the film.
3
To Live (1994)
Gong Li as Xu Jiazhen
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
To Live
To Live, directed by Zhang Yimou, follows Fugui and Jiazhen as they navigate significant changes in China, transitioning from wealth to poverty. Fugui’s addiction to gambling leads to their downfall, while historical upheavals thrust him into military service and Jiazhen into arduous labor.
Zhang Yimou’s To Live was the fifth collaboration between the director and Gong Li. Released in 1995, To Live tells the story of the Xu family across four generations, from the Chinese Civil War of the late ’40s to the Cultural Revolution of the ’60s and ’70s. The film was not without controversy either, as it was officially banned in China due to its critical portrayal of policies and campaigns. That didn’t stop the film from gaining acclaim, though, as To Live took home the Grand Prix at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.
Despite being officially banned, To Live was still widely available on video in China.
Gong Li plays Jiazhen in To Live, the wife of Xu Fugui, who angrily leaves him after he gambles away all of their possessions. Gong Li is amazing, channeling the hardworking strength of kindness of Jiazhen throughout the film. Jiazhen’s resilience in To Live is inspiring, largely thanks to Gong Li’s portrayal. It’s one of her best performances in one of her best films.
2
Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Gong Li as Juxian
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Farewell My Concubine
R
DramaMusicRomance
Farewell My Concubine is a Chinese drama film directed by Chen Kaige. The story spans over five decades and follows the lives of two Peking Opera actors, played by Leslie Cheung and Zhang Fengyi, against the backdrop of political changes in 20th-century China. The film examines themes of loyalty, love, and identity, offering a poignant depiction of personal and societal turmoil. Gong Li co-stars as a pivotal character in the narrative.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Release Date
October 15, 1993
Runtime
171 Minutes
Cast
Leslie Cheung
, Fengyi Zhang
, Gong Li
, You Ge
, Da Ying
, Qi Lü
, Han Lei
, Di Tong
Director
Kaige Chen
Released in 1993, Farewell My Concubine is a Chinese-Hong Kong epic historical drama and one of the best Chinese films ever made. Farewell My Concubine tells the story of two lifelong friends, and their tumultuous relationship over the years with one of the friend’s wives. Set against the backdrop of 20th-century China, Farewell My Concubine covers the early days of the Republic of China to the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution.
Gong Li plays Juxian, the wife of Duan Xiaolou. Caught up in a love triangle between her, Xialolou and his friend, Cheng Dieyi, Gong Li is simply outstanding in Farewell My Concubine. She is one of the best Chinese actors to ever do it and her talents are on full display here with her blistering chemistry with Leslie Cheung once again being one of the best parts of the film.
1
Raise The Red Lantern (1991)
Gong Li as Songlian
Your Rating
close
See more : Is Camp Hell Based on a True Story? Camp Hell Release Date, Cast, Plot, Where to Watch and More
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Raise the Red Lantern
Raise the Red Lantern, directed by Zhang Yimou, is set in 1920s China and follows nineteen-year-old Songlian as she becomes a concubine to a powerful lord. The film explores her struggle and competition with his three other wives for status and privileges within the household.
Raise the Red Lantern is simply one of the best Chinese films of all time and the greatest film in Gong Li’s storied career. Released in 1991, Raise the Red Lantern was the third collaboration between Zhang Yimou and Gong Li, making it one of her earliest films. Set during the Warlord Era of the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man, and her struggles in her new role.
Gong Li stars in Raise the Red Lantern as Songlian, the young woman the entire film revolves around. Gong Li’s subtle emotional depth informs her entire performance in the film, making Songlian one of the most nuanced and complex characters she has ever played. She is stunning throughout, with her ability to become the focal point of any scene she is, no matter what is going on around her. Raise the Red Lantern is Gong Li’s best film, and a staple of Chinese cinema.
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment