Listmania!
Chinese Films That Are Not to Be Overlooked
By an Amazon.com customer
Farewell My ConcubineFarewell My Concubine
Buy used from: $8.99
Operatic and epic in scale, about the changes in China in the early 20th Century, filtered through the lives of two male opera singers. Directed by Chen Kaige.
Temptress MoonTemptress Moon
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $4.23
Passion and possession collide. As beautiful as "Farewell My..." and almost as moving. Directed by Chen Kaige.
The Emperor and the AssassinThe Emperor and the Assassin
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $5.99
Distinctly Chinese, about love, betrayal and the rise of China. A beautiful epic that moves a bit slowly. Directed by Chen Kaige.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $0.52
Forget the hype; this movie is even better! A lovely fable about tradition, love, respect and talent. Works on many levels: action, art house, comedy, drama. Break-out for Zhang Ziyi.
East Palace, West PalaceEast Palace, West Palace
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $9.99
About how sex and violence can be linked, or possibly about the way China treats its people. A young writer becomes obsessed with the policeman who's arrested him for lewd conduct.
Woman Sesame Oil MakerWoman Sesame Oil Maker
Buy used from: $19.36
A thoughtful and moving story about Chinese women and arranged marriages. Great cinematography, terrible DVD-release.
Ju DouJu Dou
Buy used from: $10.84
A story about passion and suffocating traditions. Lovely colours and music. The best release if you can get it, though there is a cheaper one out there. With Gong Li. Directed by Zhang Yimou.
Raise the Red LanternRaise the Red Lantern
Buy used from: $17.89
A university student becomes the fourth wife to a man and has to learn the politics of her new home. Wonderful movie; beautiful in sights/ sound; not such a great DVD-release. Gong Li/ Zhang Yimou.
The Story of Qiu JuThe Story of Qiu Ju
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $3.93
Chinese bureaucracy: A peasant woman seeks justice when her husband's been kicked in the groin. Not the best DVD-release. With Gong Li. Directed by Zhang Yimou
HeroHero
Buy used from: $0.49
The most seen movie in China, also the best Zhang Yimou has done since Gong Li. Gorgeous to watch and with a deeply Chinese story. “The Emperor and the Assassin” meets “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”
Balzac and the Little Chinese SeamstressBalzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Buy new: $24.49 / Used from: $4.99
A touching story of love, empowerment and change. Two students sent away to be re-educated both fall for a local woman. The three of them steal illegal books and the students teach the woman to read.
Springtime In a Small TownSpringtime In a Small Town
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $2.35
A movie that moves in a contemplating manner (a bit slow). Gorgeous to look at. About a man returning to town to look up his best friend and his wife.
Peking Opera BluesPeking Opera Blues
Buy used from: $134.85
One of the most fun Hong Kong action movies, with horrible subtitles that match the pace and humour of the film.
Rhapsody of SpringRhapsody of Spring
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $13.51
Propaganda fun! A silly movie that's clearly been sponsored by Communist-Party. A different side of the Chinese film industry.