5 Best Chinese Movies of the Last 20 Years

To continue my last post, I compiled a short list of Chinese movies that I consider very much worthwhile to check out. By Chinese movies, I mean movies produced in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. To me, a classic Chinese movie is an art by itself. Each of them is different and you have to watch to catch the essence of it. A lot of people have a mis-conception thinking that Chinese movie is all about Kung-Fu. It is not! Kung fu is only an element in the movie just like the music and dancing in Bollywood, the special effect in Hollywood. I have nothing against Ang Lee’s direction and his movies—as a matter of fact, I think he is a great director. But movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is more like a “upscale P. F. Changs” in the movie world, and can not represent Chinese movie. This list, although short, may give you an idea of the Chinese movie without giving Kung-Fu.

1.       Farewell My Concubine: a drama of love, friendship, loyalty, culture, violence, and beauty. It depicts old time China through the lives of two men, one woman and traditional Chinese opera.

Director Chen, Kaige; Cast: Leslie Cheung; Fengyi Zhang; Gong, Li

2.       Comrades, Almost a Love Story: A very fine and cultural movie. It is not a sugar flicks; it is a social commentary that depicts Hong Kong people’s fear and uncertainty towards mainland China. A bit understanding of the social context of this movie would help a lot in understanding this sweet and touching almost a love story.

Director: Peter Chan; Cast: Maggie Cheung; Leon Lai; Eric Tsang

3.       Raise the Red Lantern: this is China’s most famous director Zhang Yimou’s very early movie, as well as the most known movie in the western world. Gong Li became famous after this one. Haunting, slow but intense. Enough said, enjoy!

Director: Zhang, Yimou; Cast: Gong, Li; Cao, Zhengyin; Cao, Cuifen

4.       Mountain Patrol: Kekexili: a heavy crime thriller telling a story of Tibetan voluntary rangers against all odds trying to save Tibetan antelopes. Beautifully shot, real acting, harsh reality, great cruelty, and deep thinking.

Director: Lu, Chuan; Cast: Duobuji; Zhang Lei; Qi Liang

5.       Crazy Stone: This is probably regarded to be the best comedy in recent years in China. It is a smart, funny, dark, and gritty comedy. Shot in Chongqing, a regional city in South West China known for its spicy cuisine, fog, and quick-tempered girls, it is a film about normal people in regional China.

      Director:Hao Ning; Cast: Huang Bo; Tao Guo; Hao Ning

You can find all of them on Netflix. As always, feel free to add this list.