Raise the Red Lantern
Li Gong (Memoirs of a Geisha) becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy lord in this period drama from veteran Chinese director Yimou Zhang (House of Flying Daggers).
China in the 1920s. After her father's death, 19-year-old Songlian (Gong) is forced to marry the much older lord of a powerful family. With three wives already, each living in a separate house within the great castle, there is fierce competition for his attention and the privileges that are gained...
Winner of the Elvira Notari Prize (Zhang), the FIPRESCI Prize (Zhang) and the Silver Lion, 1991 Venice Film Festival
1991Rating: PG, Adult themes125 minsChina, Hong Kong, TaiwanMandarin with English subtitles
DramaRomanceHistoricalWorld CinemaFestival & Independent
- Director:
- Yimou Zhang ('House of Flying Daggers', 'Hero', 'Curse of the Golden Flower')
- Writer:
- Ni Zhen
- Cast:
- Li GongSaifei HeJingwu MaCuifen CaoQi ZhaoLin KongShuyuan JinWeimin Ding
Raise the Red Lantern / Reviews
The New York Times
A beautifully crafted and richly detailed feat of consciousness-raising and a serious drama with the verve of a good soap opera.
Full reviewRolling Stone
Gong Li delivers a performance of exquisite expressiveness that, like the film itself, is unnerving in its emotional nakedness.
Full review
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