In the first episode of what turned into a mini Zhang Yimou film festival, we discuss the beautiful period drama Raise The Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂). We get into its themes of oppressive patriarchy, gorgeous cinematography, common enemies, impactful silences, unintentionally perpetuating your own subjugation, and y’know, pretty lanterns and stuff.
I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa
Raise the Red Lantern is a 1991 period drama film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li. It is an adaptation by Ni Zhen of the 1990 novella Raise the Red Lantern (originally Wives and Concubines) by Su Tong. A Chinese-Hong Kong co-production, the film was later adapted into a ballet of the same title by the National Ballet of China, also directed by Zhang. Set during the Warlord Era in the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man. It was the fourth of nine collaborations between Zhang and Gong. The film was shot in the Qiao Family Compound near the ancient city of Pingyao, in Shanxi Province.
