Hero
- Fantasy, action, drama, 2002.
- Duration: 96 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.9.
A parable illustrating Confucian ideas about justice and duty, wisdom and valor. The unnamed hero comes to the court of the ruler of the Qin Dynasty and tells how he defeated three enemies threatening the life of the ruler. However, the truth is not revealed right away: we will immediately see three variants of the events in question.
A fascinating and deep plot complements the beautiful visual series: the film will certainly deliver you aesthetic pleasure.
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Farewell, my concubine
- Drama, melodrama, 1993.
- Duration: 156 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.1.
A film about how art becomes life, and life – art. This is the story of the two actors of the Beijing Opera and the former courtesan, who was closely associated with them. Performances on stage and behind-the-scenes events take place against the backdrop of political upheavals, and this combination gives a dynamic plot, emotional depth and the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of Beijing in the first half of the 20th century.
The painting is considered one of the central works of the so-called fifth generation of Chinese filmmakers and was awarded the “Golden Palm Branch” and many other foreign film awards.
Earthquake
- Drama, 2010 year.
- Duration: 136 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.6.
The Tangshan earthquake of 1976 claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and was the second deadliest in the history of mankind. It was this catastrophe that the film of director Feng Xiaogang was dedicated to.
Little daughter and son Li Yuanni came under the rubble. The mother had a chance to save only one child, otherwise both would perish. The woman had to make the hardest choice – and live with it further.
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Live
- Drama, military, history, 1994.
- Duration: 133 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.3.
Zhang Yimou’s epic saga about how one family, once rich and influential, experienced the large-scale historical events of the mid-20th century: the civil war in China and the “cultural revolution”.
At home, the film was banned for criticizing the policies of the communist government. However, abroad, the picture was appreciated and awarded three prizes at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.
Double castling
- Thriller, drama, crime, 2002.
- Duration: 101 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.1.
The boss of the Hong Kong mafia introduces his man into the police. However, among his associates, too, there is a “mole” – a policeman undercover. Both sides seek to expose each other, and a deadly game begins.
If the string seems familiar to you, then you probably watched Scorsese’s “Departed” who received four Oscars. This is a remake of the “Double castling”, which, according to psychological tension, the veracity of the plot and the subtleties of the acting game, can not surpass anything.
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Raise the red lantern
- Drama, melodrama, history, 1991.
- Duration: 125 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.2.
The action of this chamber drama takes place at the estate of a rich Chinese feudal lord. Young Sunliang is sold to him in wives, and the girl becomes the youngest, fourth mistress. All the inhabitants of the estate are obliged to observe a variety of traditions and rituals, and for the attention of the gentleman, sophisticated warfare is conducted, hidden from the eyes of strangers.
Yip Man
- Action, drama, 2008 year.
- Duration: 106 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.1.
The film is based on real events from the life of the master of martial arts Ip Mana – mentor of the legendary Bruce Lee. Yip Man was the first to open a Wing Chun style school and carefully selected worthy students. And the picture shows his opposition to the Japanese invaders during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It is recommended for viewing to all fans of martial arts and stories about the strength of spirit, valor and honor.
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Mood for Love
- Drama, melodrama, 2000 year.
- Duration: 98 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.1.
The ability to turn the most banal plot into a work of art is evidence of the artist’s true skill. The old story of a man and a woman, accidentally reduced by fate, becomes light and lyrical, sad and fleeting as summer evenings. Wong Karwai does not miss a single detail, and as a result, the views and gestures, music, color and atmosphere of the 60’s Hong Kong create real magic.
City 24
- Drama, 2008 year.
- Duration: 107 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.1.
The city authorities in Chengdu decide to demolish the old factory and build an elite residential complex in its place. To show how this event affected the lives of people of different generations and social strata, director Jia Zhangke uses an unusual form: documentary shots and real interviews are combined with scenes in the style of pseudo-documentary.
Under the hot sun
- Drama, history, 1994.
- Duration: 140 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.3.
Another artistic comprehension of the “cultural revolution” in China, only now with the eyes of a teenager, who does not care much about what is happening in the country. Hot summer, the spirit of freedom, street showdowns and first love – in this film there is no politics, only nostalgia for a beautiful youth. The film’s director Jiang Wen said that many of the film’s events are based on his memories.
City of life and death
- Drama, military, history, 2009 year.
- Duration: 133 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.7.
The work of director Lu Chuan, dedicated to the Nanking massacre, which took place in the winter of 1937. The events are shown not only by the eyes of the defenders and the residents of the city, but also from the point of view of the soldier of the army of Japanese invaders, and the black and white shooting reminds of the documentary chronicle and gives realism. The film takes for a living and carries an obvious humanistic message: war is only horror, loss and pain.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- Fantasy, action, melodrama, 2000.
- Duration: 120 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.9.
This film, deservedly loved by critics and spectators, collected a whole heap of awards, including four Oscars, and was very successful at the box office. Otherwise, there could not be: a dynamic adventure plot twisted around a magical artifact, a wonderful acting game, eastern philosophy, an amorous drama and, of course, war-like tricks and flights peculiar to the genre. An excellent choice if you want a quality and spectacular action, and American movies about superheroes already fed up.
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Chungking Express
- Drama, melodrama, crime, 1994.
- Duration: 102 minutes.
- IMDb: 8.1.
Another unique in its style of painting from the early works of Wong Karwa. It consists of two stories: the first – about a young policeman suffering because of lost love, and the second … about another young policeman, who in his personal life, too, is not at all smooth. In the presence of a mysterious drug dealer and a wonderful waitress snack, strange habits, fateful meetings and partings, loneliness and tenderness, dreams and many, many real human feelings.
As another reason why the film is worth seeing: Quentin Tarantino, he was so impressed that the director independently arranged his rental in the US.
Lust
- Thriller, drama, melodrama, military, 2007.
- Duration: 157 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.6.
1938 In the territory occupied by the Japanese army, a group of Chinese students are planning to contribute to the liberation of their native country – to kill the influential collaborator of Mr. I. Young and attractive Jiazhi have a role in this regard – to win the confidence of Mr. Y and trap him. However, as you can predict, everything will not be so easy at all.
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Qiu Tszyu goes to court
- Drama, comedy, 1992.
- Duration: 101 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.6.
The husband of the peasant woman, Qiu Tszyu, was injured at the hands of the village headman and could not work until the trauma had healed. Although the local official persuaded the elder to pay compensation for the treatment, he refused to admit his guilt. This, according to Qiu Chiu, is absolutely outrageous, and she is ready to go through all the circles of bureaucratic hell in order to restore justice.
Many street scenes were filmed by a hidden camera, so that the film gives a rare opportunity to observe the daily life of the Chinese outback at the beginning of the 90s – and what happens on the screen often causes some irrational recognition.
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