China Film-list
Someone asked me about my favorite films on the topic of China. This topic has surely been explored better elsewhere on the internet. But, here are my favorites from HK, mainland China, and Taiwan.
I watched Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor too early in my life, and I remember being impressed with the cinematography of the panoramic scenes of the Forbidden City. I might appreciate things I missed in the film better now with more historical context on China.
When I was growing up, Hong Kong was the veritable powerhouse of movies. Most of these movies were mostly made in Cantonese (and apparently some were in Mandarin depending on the context, although I wouldn’t be able to figure out from watching) and widely distributed all over Asia. Many of these movies were produced by Tsui Hark whose influence on the landscape of HK and Chinese movies is incomparable.
John Woo directed some cool HK action movies in the late 80s starring young and suave Chow-Yun Fat. I absolutely recommend A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hard Boiled. (I found Woo’s latter mega-productions based on Three Kingdoms period, Red Cliff I and Red Cliff II just ok).
Johnnie To’s Triad related movies are excellent crime movies. I recommend The Mission and the international hits, Election and its sequel Election II.
Wong Kar-wai directed some achingly beautiful films. I liked In the Mood for Love and Chungking Express.
Ang Lee, born in Taiwan, is by far my favorite director from the region. I would watch anything directed by Ang Lee. (I think even his Hulk was fantastic and deep). Before he directed Brokeback Mountain, an incredibly under-rated Ice Storm, and his breakaway-hit, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Ang Lee directed some fantastic movies that were sensitive portrayals of middle-class Chinese lives. I loved Eat Drink Man Woman and The Wedding Banquet.
An early 90s Taiwanese movie that left a deep impression on me as a teenager is Five Girls and A Rope, but it is criminally unknown to audiences worldwide.
Martial arts Movies.
In my view, the best films of Bruce Lee’s brief incandescent career are Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon.
Historical martial arts movies are all dramatic, with a heavy dose of nationalism and an unabashed urge for avenging years of persecution. Still, there can be one and only 36th chamber of Shaolin.
Jet Li featured in some stunning martial arts action movies: The Shaolin Temple, Fist of Legend, and Once Upon a Time in China and its sequel Once Upon a Time in China II.
I can never forget the first time that I watched A Chinese Ghost Story, an astounding love story and action romance starring a young charismatic Leslie Cheung (RIP!).
Jackie Chan popularized the Kung-fu Comedy genre starting with Drunken Master and Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow. I loved his movies as a child growing up in India. Now, I find that many of his earlier movies haven’t aged that well, but your mileage may vary, as they still contain the youthful charm that created his global appeal. You might enjoy watching Police Story, Project A, and Armour of God.
Generally speaking, Hong Kong movies have left their 1990s heyday behind, and have slumped. Since 2000, there have some notable productions from the mainland with many HK actors. Most notable among them is Zhang Yimou (who went mainstream to direct the 2008 Olympics Opening ceremony). I loved Raise the Red Lantern which had an underlying allegory for many cultural observations. Beautifully shot Hero and The House of Flying Daggers are operatic movies that are definitely worth a watch.
I liked Kaige Chen’s Farewell My Concubine.