Songlian, an educated nineteen-year-old girl, is forced to leave college after the death of her father to become the fourth wife of a powerful, feudal nobleman and becomes involved in the intrigues and rivalries between his other wives. The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each other’s darkest secrets.
“Zhang Yimou (Ju Dou) directed this fascinating, visually formal 1991 film about an educated woman (Gong Li) who is sent off to become the newest wife of a feudal nobleman in 1920s China. Nearly isolated in his spooky, palatial home, she develops relationships with several of the other wives and slowly becomes aware of a hideous legacy of punishment toward more willful women. The film has a brittle and dry quality that is deliberate, but also suggestive of Zhang working through various explorations of his own style (which he resolved in his next film, The Story of Qiu Ju). Gong Li, one of the world’s great actresses, is superb.” – Tom Keogh
“Raise the Red Lantern is told so directly and beautifully, with such confidence, with so little evidence of compromise.” – Roger Ebert
Starring Li Gong, Caifei He, Cuifen Cao, Jingwu Ma, Qi Zhao.
In Chinese with English subtitles.
Rated PG (No nudity or sex scenes.)