Da hong deng long gao gao gua (1991)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Yimou Zhang

Writers:

Su Tong (novel)
Ni Zhen (writer)

Release Date:

12 February 1992 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

China, 1920. One master, four wives.

Plot:

China in the 1920's. After her father's death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian...

Plot Keywords:

1920s | Lantern | China | Drunk Scene | Romantic Rivalry

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 12 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Li Gong	...	Songlian
Saifei He	...	Meishan (Third Wife)
Cuifen Cao	...	Zhuoyan (Second Wife)
Jingwu Ma	...	The Master
Qi Zhao	...	Housekeeper
Lin Kong	...	Yan'er
Shuyuan Jin	...	Yuru (First Wife)
Weimin Ding	...	Songlian's mother
Zhengyin Cao	...	Old servant
Zhihgang Cui	...	Dr. Gao
Chu Xiao	...	Feipu

Also Known As:

Raise the Red Lantern (USA)

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

China | Hong Kong | Taiwan

Language:

Mandarin

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:16 | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Company:

Century Communications

Trivia:

"The Master's" face is never seen. It is either obscured behind thin curtains or out of shot.

Quotes:

The Third Concubine: She has the face of Buddha and the heart of a scorpian

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Turandot Project (2000)

Gong Li

Songlian(Gong li) is the fourth wife of the elusive Master.When she arrives in this secluded remote place the other wives pay attention,the film shows the female vanity and a competition to gain the master affection but why? This women seems not to be in love of this man but I was most intrigued by the presence and personality of the young Songlian,she seems not to belong there,we know she is an educated lady who was sold as concubine. Songlian looks very delicate but she proves that she can be strong and even rebel.

The great chinase Director Zhang Yimou did a wonderful job to focused on the beautiful,flawless face of the impressive Gong Li.The film begins when we see her face on the screen and a tear drops slowly.Other poignant scene is when her flute disappears…why she makes too much noise about it?is the only gift she had from her late father.

When the winter arrives and the snow envelops this place it seem more remote and eerie Then a series of tragedies occur and the heroine starts to fade slowly. I think that the ending is so sad but at the same time is like a fairy tale To me.Songlian looks like a ghost walking around,alone without a soul .She represents a tragic past that will always haunt this place.

I'm a big admirer of the actress Gong Li,all her films impressive me in different levels: `Jou Du'; The Story of Qiu Ju; Farewell to my Concubine. Her face and reactions is her treasure, Gong Li is the most beautiful actress I had ever seen, unique,talented and vulnerable. 9/10