Drama
China,Hong Kong,Taiwan
Raise the Red Lantern is a 1991 Chinese film directed by Zhang Yimou. The film is set in 1920s China during the Warlord Era, a period of political and social instability. The story follows Songlian, a young and educated woman who is forced to marry a wealthy man, who already has three wives.
Songlian moves into the family compound, which is a sprawling castle surrounded by walls. Each wife lives in a separate house within the compound, and the lord chooses which wife he will spend the night with by raising a red lantern outside her house.
Songlian struggles to adapt to her new life, as she becomes embroiled in the competition and jealousy between the other wives. She begins to manipulate and scheme to gain the lord's attention and favor, but her efforts lead to disastrous consequences.
As tensions mount and the power struggle intensifies, the wives become increasingly desperate to gain the lord's attention, setting in motion a tragic chain of events that leads to a shocking and devastating climax.
The film is known for its stunning cinematography, elaborate set design, and poignant performances by its cast, especially Gong Li in the lead role of Songlian. Raise the Red Lantern was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards, including Best Foreign Language Film at the BAFTA Awards and a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. It is considered a masterpiece of Chinese cinema and a classic of world cinema.
