UC Berkeley Library

Mainland China

Ju Dou (China / Japan, 1991)

Directed by Zhang Yi-Mou and Yang Feng-liang. The abused wife of a sadistic Chinese mill owner and his overworked nephew fall in love. Only murder could free the lovers from the mill owner's tyranny- or could it? 98 min. Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database

Kung Fu Hustle (China / Hong Kong, 2004)

Directed by Stephen Chow. Cast: Stephen Chow, Wah Yuen, Qiu Yuen, Kwok Keun Chan, Siu Lung Leung, Dong Zhi Hua, Chiu Chi Ling, Xing Yu, Chi Chung Lam, Kai Man Tin. Sing, a hapless gangster, must overcome his inability to wield a knife and demonstrate his mettle in order to become a member of the notorious Axe Gang. He realizes he is the greatest kung fu master of them all, destined to protect the sacred streets. 99 min. Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database
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Lan Yu (China, Hong Kong, 2001)

Directed by Stanley Kwan. Chronicles the turbulent gay relationship between a closeted middle-aged businessman and a young college student amid the violent uprising of Tiananmen Square. 86 min. ; or PAL format Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database

Life on a String (Bian zou bian chang) (China, 1991)

Director, Chen Kaige. Cast: Liu Zhongyuan, Huang Lei, Xu Qing. Story of a saintly blind man who as a boy was promised the restoration of his sight if he devoted his life to music. He and a young blind disciple travel the countryside seeking enlightenment and inspiring people with their singing and banjo playing. 107 min. Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database

Lust, Caution (Se, jie) (USA / China / Taiwan / Hong Kong, 2007)

Directed by Ang Lee. Cast: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Wei Tang, Joan Chen, Lee-Hom Wang, Chung Hua Tou. Set Japanese-occupied Shanghai, a young woman finds herself swept up in a radical plot to assassinate a ruthless and secretive intelligence agent. As she immerses herself in her role as a cosmopolitan seductress, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game of emotional intrigue, love and betrayal. Bonus feature: "Tiles of deception, lurid affections" featurette. 159 min. Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database

Myriad of Lights (Wan jia deng huo) (China, 1948)

Directed by Fu Shen. Cast: Lan Ma, Shangguan Yunzhu, Wu Yin. This tale of familial warfare and sacrifice takes place in hard-pressed Shanghai at the end of the 1940's. Hu Zhiqing can barely support his wife and children, and his situation is worsened by the unexpected arrival of his mother, brother and sister-in-law. When he is fired by his unscrupulous boss, the whole family becomes embroiled in one emotional/economic struggle after another. 110 min. Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database

Not One Less (Yi ge dou bu neng shao) (China, 1999)

Directed by Zhang Yimou. A young woman is ordered to a remote Chinese village to be a substitute teacher. Barely older than her students, the shy girl is charged with keeping the class intact for one month or she won't be paid. When one of her students disappears into the city to find work, the stubborn teacher is determined to follow the boy and bring him back to school. Once in the city, her simple peasant pleas fall on deaf ears, and only when the local television sympathizes does her search bear fruit. 106 min.

Princess Iron Fan (Tie shan gong zhu) (China, 1941)

Directed by Wan Guchan and Wan Laiming. Produced by the Wan brothers in the midst of World War II, this is the first feature length animated film produced in China. The film is also one of the earliest works to extensively use the rotoscoping animation process. Following the Monkey King, his master and friends on their journey to the West reach Fire Mountain. They are unable to pass because of the fire but learn that a special iron fan can quench the flames. However, the fan belongs to Princess Iron Fan and she will not willingly lend it to them. 73 min.

Queen of Sports (Ti yu huang hou) (China, 1934)

Directed by Yu Sun. Cast: Li Lili, Zhang Yi, He, Feiguang, Langen Han. An athletic village girl comes to Shanghai, where she discovers the true nature of competition and love. The focus of the film is clearly on sport, including physical training, study and competition, though while at the school, she becomes rather fond of her coach, the brother of a classmate whom she knew in her childhood, as well as earning the jealousy of some catty classmates.

Raise the Red Lantern (Da Hong Deng Long Gao Gao Gua) (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, 1991)

Directed by Zhang Yi-Mou. Set in 1920's China, 19-year-old Songlian has become Fourth Wife to the wealthy Chen. Yet she must share her husband with three existing wives. Each must wait until dusk for the arrival of a red lantern, which signifies with whom the master will sleep tonight. When Songlian discovers that the other wives cheat to win the red lantern, she decides to join the fight for Chen's attention. Based on the novel by Su Tong. 125 min. ; ; Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database
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