Shubhabrata Dutta
China is one of the major contributors to world cinema, having given us great directors, including Chen Kaige, John Woo, Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, Lau Kar-leung, Lo Wei, and King Hu. From action to romance, from tragedy to comedy, from thrill to horror, there is no dearth in any genre in Chinese cinema. Needless to say, the ability of the makers to incorporate culture in the movies is what makes the latter unique while having a universal appeal. Here, we bring you the best Chinese movies ever made, each of a different kind and a unique approach to the subject.
32. Fallen Angels (1995)
A multiple-award-winning neo-noir crime drama, ‘Fallen Angels’ is directed by Wong Kar-wai. A brilliant commentary on loneliness and alienation in the modern world, the film follows a handful of characters divided into two interconnected storylines. We have a hitman, his boss, a sex worker the hitman falls for, an ex-convict, and a mentally unstable lady. How their personal and professional lives collide has been showcased beautifully against the backdrop of a 90s neon-lit Hong Kong. ‘Fallen Angels’ can be watched on Max.
31. 2046 (2004)
A Wong Kar-wai directorial, ‘2046’ was nominated for the Golden Palm at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and is a masterpiece in non-linear storytelling. It follows Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung), a science fiction writer trying to get over her long-gone ladylove Su by becoming a ladies’ man and using his experiences, no matter how unsuccessful, for his titular book.
Past and present mingle in this mind-bending and captivating drama that serves as a loose sequel to Kar-wai’s ‘Days of Being Wild’ (1990) and ‘In the Mood for Love’ (2000), in that order. However, you don’t need to necessarily watch them to understand ‘Fallen Angels.’ You can watch ‘2046’ on Tubi.
30. The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
The Lau Kar-leung film is a continuation of the story of ‘Drunken Master’ (1978). Lead actor Jackie Chan plays Wong Fei-hung, who is initially caught up in a squabble with British expatriates who he thinks are stealing precious and indigenous ginseng from his country. As the quarrel grows, Fei-hung likes to get involved in a variant of Kung Fu he calls Drunken Boxing and deems himself formidable. The fight sequences are very enjoyable but it is clear that they have been elaborately filmed and executed, making ‘The Legend of Drunken Master’ one of the most exploratory Kung Fu movies of all time. You can rent it on Prime.
29. Lust, Caution (2007)
Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed espionage thriller ‘Lust, Caution’ is based on events that occurred after the Japanese occupation of Shanghai. It shows a theatre troupe that recruits Hong Kong college student Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) to seduce and kill Japanese collaborator Mr. Yee (Tony Leung Chiu-wai). However, as time passes, feelings take over schemes, and she finds herself struggling to carry on. It is Lee’s second film to have won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival. You can rent it on YouTube.
28. Infernal Affairs (2002)
Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, ‘Infernal Affairs’ follows idealistic police cadet Chan Wing-Yan (Tony Leung), who infiltrates the criminal Triad society as a member. Into his very cadet class, Triad member Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau) makes his way in. A decade later, both moles have made their way up the ranks. However, when their covers are compromised, things go haywire. Remade in English by Martin Scorsese as ‘The Departed,’ ‘Infernal Affairs’ is a gripping high-stakes crime thriller. You can watch it on Max.
27. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
One of the several films of the fifth generation to have been banned in the mainland, ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ is the story of teenager Songlian (Gong Li) who becomes the third concubine of wealthy warlord Master Chen (Ma Jingwu) during the warlord era. Much like ‘Farewell My Concubine,’ the film has a distinctive extravagance in its visuals that will sweep you off your feet. Although denied by the director, some critics have assumed that the imagery of the warring lords in this film is actually symbolic of the fragmentation of society in the post-Cultural Revolution era in China. With themes of deception and jealousy, ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ won the Silver Lion at the 1991 Venice International Film Festival.
26. House of Flying Daggers (2004)
With a shoestring budget of $12 million USD as per modern standards, Zhang Yimou’s ‘House of Flying Daggers’ went on to make more than eight times its budget in box office revenues, all thanks to the amazing star cast and mind-blowing production design and editing, and some exemplary direction. Featuring Zhang Ziyi, one of the top Chinese actresses today, the film is set in 8th century China, when there were many rebel factions trying to take their share of power amidst a corrupt government. The House of Flying Daggers is a faction that specializes in flying daggers that can eliminate people in the blink of an eye. When the government sends two police officers to spy on a dancer, Mei, who has connections with the revered faction, one of them falls for Mei and misleads the police, thus leading to an even more complex turn of events. A fun-packed adventure comprising all the elements of a winning cinema, ‘House of Flying Daggers’ is simply splendid. You can rent it on Prime.
25. Still Life (2006)
‘Still Life’ is the story of two people, Han Sanming (Han Sanming) and Shen Hong (Zhao Tao), searching for their spouses in a small town by the Yangtze River that is gradually being destroyed because of the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. Having won the award for the best film at the Venice International Film Festival, it was promoted both at home and abroad by Chinese authorities on account of its acclaim. This film testifies to Jia Zhangke’s versatility as a filmmaker. Having dealt with a diverse range of subjects before ‘Still Life’ is another remarkable feat to his name. You can watch it on YouTube.
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24. Not One Less (1999)
A film associated with a social subject, Zhang Yimou’s ‘Not One Less’ focuses on an era that faced a shortage of educated individuals in China and the various initiatives the Government had to take to get the soaring populace to schools. More than the urban population, who always had an affinity for education, the film highlights the government’s concern for a very small number of rural dwellers enrolling their children in schools. Set in the 90s, the film begins with a 13-year-old substitute teacher, Wei, who has been appointed at a countryside school as a substitute teacher and is tasked with keeping all the students within the school. This is because there were many students defecting to bigger cities in the search for jobs. The film, adapted from Shi Xiangsheng’s 1997 story ‘A Sun in the Sky,’ has real people and has been shot in a documentary style but gives the feel of a movie with a social cause. You can rent it on Prime.
23. Summer Palace (2006)
Set against the backdrop of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, Lou Ye’s film follows the school and the subsequent university life of Yu Hong (Hao Lei). The latter is where she meets her lover, Zhou Wei (Guo Xiaodong). They have a passionate yet abusive affair as the Tiananmen Square protests are happening. The film then catches up with the characters several years after the end of the Cold War. The film is not only a personal narrative of You Hong but also a harrowing account of state-inflicted brutality.
22. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Perhaps one of the most famous Chinese films outside of China, Lau Kar-leung’s ‘The 36th Chamber of Shaolin’ tells the story of Yude (Gordon Liu), who later is known as Monk San Te. Yude is lured into fighting a rebellion against the government by his teacher, wherein the government easily crushes the rebellion and kills many, forcing Yude to escape and seek refuge at a Shaolin temple. This is where he is accepted as a disciple after a lot of persuasion and trains in all of the temple’s 35 chambers to master the craft of Kung Fu. After mustering a lot of strength and know-how of the ancient art form, he defeats the evil general and establishes a 36th chamber for laymen to learn Kung Fu easily. ‘The 36th Chamber of Shaolin’ is regarded as the greatest Kung Fu film ever made. You can watch it on Prime.
21. Red Sorghum (1987)
Adapted from the novel ‘Red Sorghum Clan’ by the Nobel Prize-winning novelist Mo Yan this film tracks the life of a woman working in a distillery that makes sorghum liquor. What sets this film apart from others is its complete lack of sophistication and stylization which quite successfully preserves the essence of peasant life.
20. Eat Man Drink Woman (1994)
One of Ang Lee’s earlier works, ‘Eat Man Drink Woman’ is the “father knows best” recipe that went on to garner a cult following and rave reviews. Mr. Chu is the father of three spinster daughters – the eldest, Jia-Jen, is a chemistry teacher; the second daughter, Jia-Chien, works at an airline; and the youngest, Jia-Ning, works at a restaurant and is also a student. As the weekend approaches, Mr. Chu cooks elaborate supper for himself and his three daughters, and the supper table is the place of their discussion about their love lives and the future, much to the daughters’ dissent. Things take a shocking turn when, on one fine day, Mr. Chu proclaims that he will marry again. ‘Eat Man Drink Woman’ pleasantly highlights the positives of a dysfunctional family as they munch on delicious Chinese specialties.
19. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
‘Kung Fu Hustle’ is set in China in the 40s, when law and order were in tithers and cities were overseen by crime lords and notorious criminal gangs. Axe gang, one of the most feared gangs in the city, has Sum as its overlord. Two friends, Sing and Bone, are born and raised in Pigsty, one of the poorest urban neighborhoods, which has so far not been ransacked by the members of different gangs owing to their poverty. As the film progresses, it is revealed that many of the slum-dwellers are Kung Fu masters in disguise and that Sing and Bone must decide which side they’re on. The film was praised for its perfect blend of the depiction of martial arts and humor with detailed visuals. You can rent it on Prime.
18. Days of Being Wild (1990)
Another title from the oeuvre of Wong Kar-Wai, ‘Days of Being Wild’ is his second feature before he became one of the most influential filmmakers of the modern era. Here, we see a more cautious Kar-Wai who has not adopted the experimental techniques that are his signature. Yet the film, following the life of the playboy Yuddy (Leslie Cheung) and his affairs with women, paves the way for classics like ‘Chunking Express’ or ‘In the Mood for Love.’ You can watch it on Max.
17. Hero (2002)
Jet Li plays the Nameless ‘Hero’ in this masterful adventure, and be prepared to be awed with ample surprises while you’re at it. ‘Hero’ begins in the Kingdom of Qin, the most powerful of the seven Chinese kingdoms of feudal times, which is under threat from assassination attempts and sabotage. More prominently, the King feels his kingdom is threatened by three feared warriors – Broken Sword, Flying Snow, and Sky, who reportedly have been sent by the other six warring kingdoms. Nameless is a provincial official in Qin’s kingdom who reportedly has defeated all three warriors. Surprised and taken aback by the big revelation, the king invites Nameless to his palace to narrate the heroic feat. But all is not as plain and straightforward as it seems to be. ‘Hero’ achieved critical acclaim upon its release and was termed “spectacular” by many Western movie critics and reviewers. You can rent it on Prime.
16. To Live (1994)
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Yu Hua, ‘To Live’ tells the story of Fugui (Ge You), a compulsive gambler who loses his wife and home in a game. The plot then follows the ordeals of Fugui as the country descends into a conflict that culminates in the May 4th Revolution. A gem of the fifth generation, this film critically re-examines the country’s past, where party propaganda obscured ground realities that were not always concurrent with the party’s grand narrative.
15. The Killer (1989)
A signature John Woo directorial, ‘The Killer’ is the narrative of Ah Jong, a hitman who accidentally bruises the eye of a club singer, Jennie, during his ultimate assignment. Even though Jennie’s plight is his mistake, he follows her and falls in love with her. To get her an eye transplant, he accepts yet another job for killing someone in lieu of money but gets double-crossed and doesn’t get paid. As the film progresses, the police, the assassin, and the assassin’s bosses engage in bloodied, fast-paced confrontations, ultimately leading to the elimination of the evil mob bosses. ‘The Killer’ was a smash hit and is rated among the top 50 Asian films ever.
14. 24 City (2008)
An avant-garde form used by Jia Zhangke, ’24 City’ uses a narrative style that has features of both documentary and fiction. It attempts to show how the closing down of a real state-owned factory affects workers through a documentary-like technique where actors give scripted interviews. You can rent it on Vudu.
13. Chungking Express (1994)
A film by Wong Kar-wai, the legendary auteur known for his visually enthralling on-screen miracles, ‘Chungking Express’ is the narrative that follows two cops who have been dealing with their heartbreaks. The first cop, AKA Cop 223/Qiwu, has broken up with his girlfriend May on the first of April. In the memory of their relationship and since May was a pineapple lover, Cop 223 buys pineapple cans that are about to go bad on the 1st of May. Come 1st May, he meets another woman whom he immediately falls in love with, not knowing what will befall him later on. The second story is of Cop 663, who has broken up with his air hostess girlfriend but then meets up with another girl who serves food at a restaurant. As with all of Kar-wai’s films, ‘Chungking Express’ is a performance-intensive, vibrant, and memorable affair worth every second of your time. You can watch it on Max.
12. The Blue Kite (1993)
Tian Zhuangzhuang’s ‘The Blue Kite’ is one of the most defining films of the Fifth Generation of Chinese cinema. Banned in China because of its political stance against the Communist party, this tale, narrated in three episodes through the perspective of a young boy, blends the perpetual sense of terror propagated by the presence of the party in all aspects of one’s life with the tragic state of affairs in the boy’s family.
11. Red Cliff (2008)
Another John Woo masterpiece, ‘Red Cliff’ was filmed and released in two parts. The first chapter begins with the Han Dynasty in 208 A.D. Cao Cao is the fickle-minded Prime Minister to Emperor Xian of Han, whom the former convinces to wage war against the western and the southern rebel kingdoms, which would change the course of history forever. With a million-strong army and an upcoming battle that could be worth a spectacle, the rebel kingdoms unite against a common enemy as the ultimate face-off happens at the Battle of Red Cliff, which went down in history as one of the most elaborate naval wars in the history of humanity. ‘Red Cliff’ has been hailed as a timeless masterpiece that boasts of epic action, triumphant battle sequences, and edge-of-the-seat grit – everything you can expect from a John Woo film. You can watch the film on Prime.
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10. Happy Together (1997)
‘Happy Together’ helped Wong Kar-Wai win the Best Director award at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival. It’s a story about two men who plan to rebuild their already moribund relationship by coming to Argentina, hoping that the new environment will help them re-discover themselves. Kar-Wai’s ambitious experimentation with cinematography helps the audience get a more intense experience of the relationship’s volatility and abusiveness. You can watch it on Max.
9. Aftershock (2010)
A movie that grossed more than US $100 million at the box office, ‘Aftershock’ is a historical disaster film based on the Tangshan earthquake of 1976, which killed more than 242,000 people. The movie is centered around the Daqing family with its twins, Fang Deng and Fang Da, who live in an apartment in the suburb of Tangshan. On the wee morning hours in 1976, an earthquake strikes, and the husband dies, leaving his wife Li and their twins trapped under the rubble. In the attempts to find the trapped children, Fang Da is found while Fang Deng gets displaced and is found and adopted by a military family. Years later, when Deng is eloping from her adoptive parents due to multiple reasons, including her pregnancy, she finds her long-lost sibling and, eventually, her mother. ‘Aftershock’ is one of the most successful films that was made in China but got critical acclaim from all over the world.
8. In the Heat of the Sun (1994)
‘In the Heat of the Sun’ is a heartbreaking tale of growing up spun with episodes of love, friendship, and loss that are very post-modern in flavor. It follows the personal narrative of a teenager growing up on a certain turf in Beijing, where he interjects retrospectively occasionally. The brilliance of the film lies in the fact that the narrator is not one demi-god-like entity that keeps track of all the events and characters in the film but rather a person who occasionally lies and exaggerates in order to create fake impressions about himself in front of others. The film celebrates human fallibility and imperfections without assuming moral high-handedness.
7. Kekexili: Mountain Patrol (2004)
The Lu Chuan directorial is primarily set in Kekexii, in the Quinghai-Tibet region. It revolves around the poachers of the nearly-extinct Tibetan Antelope and the rangers, who, given the lack of government support, have protected the animals on their own. Ritai is the leader of the patrol team, a member of which has recently been executed. After being joined by Ga, a journalist, they embark on a quest to track down the poachers, with one trail leading to another. ‘Mountain Patrol’ is, at times, brutal and wild in its demeanor and mostly imitates Hollywood in terms of its violence and gore, but at the same time, it succeeds in retaining its Asian flavor. You can watch it on Prime.
6. City of Life and Death (2009)
Lu Chuan’s ‘City of Life and Death’ is a disturbingly graphic war drama dealing with the Japanese occupation of China and the massacre in the Chinese capital, Nanjing. A haunting tale of inhuman brutality inflicted by humans on each other, the film progresses to the point of utter insanity, where it becomes impossible to make sense of the violence anymore. Narrated with an ironclad objectivity and an emotional dryness that is almost frightening, the film is one of the most realistic accounts of war you’ll ever see.
5. Fearless (2006)
A biographical film at the outset, ‘Fearless’ is based on the life and times of Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li), a renowned Wushu martial arts genius who brought immense fame to China with his publicized martial arts championships prior to the formation of the Republic of China. Primarily defeating the people from the West, Huo brought in a great deal of nationalism among the Chinese residents. Moreover, his bouts against Japanese wrestlers would necessarily decimate Japan after the Japanese invasion of China. You can rent it on YouTube.
4. Devils on the Doorstep (2000)
Along the foothills of the Great Wall of China, there lies a small village in which a farmer called Ma is greeted by a rather unpleasant man with a gunny sack of two men – a Japanese army man and a Chinese translator. The Japanese invasion of China is at its peak, and the strange man asks Ma to keep the men inside gunny sacks well-fed for a few days and interrogate them for details on enemy establishments. A scared and timid Ma agrees, but his patience, along with the villagers’, runs thin as the strange man doesn’t return for another six months. Ma decides to hide the prisoners in one of the watchtowers along the Great Wall of China. Unfortunately, when the villagers find out and return the men to the Japanese camp, they aren’t greeted with enthusiasm because the captives were believed to be dead and are now celebrated as war heroes. The film was banned in China owing to its political incorrectness.
3. Farewell My Concubine (1993)
This grand drama by Chen Kaige is set against the backdrop of Chinese history, as the country is torn apart by political turmoil, starting from the warlord era to the May 4th Cultural Revolution. It tracks the changing relationship between two actors, who are tied by fate into a lifelong friendship because of their roles in a popular Indigenous play that they have performed since childhood. You can rent ‘Farewell My Concubine’ on Prime.
2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee’s masterpiece is still viewed as one of the best action films of all time. An exquisite exhibition of skill and metaphysical frippery, wrapped into an engaging narrative that will keep you at the edge of your seat, ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ is spellbinding.
A sacrosanct sword is stolen from the possession of Yu Shu Lien, who received it from renowned swordsman Li Mu Bai. An embittered Shu Lien embarks on a journey of romantic and thrilling adventures, filled with twists that will make you jump in surprise. There’s no denying the blatant fact that the movie struggles a bit with its pace. However, the way Ang Lee shot the film, with symbolic and purposeful direction, is simply a treat to watch and savor. You can watch ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ on Prime.
1. In the Mood for Love (2000)
A film worthy of the numero uno spot, ‘In the Mood for Love’ is a romantic drama steeped in brilliance. The cinematography, the script, the plot, and the background score make a sweet concoction that is bound to leave you intoxicated for quite some time. Wong Kar-Wai is a conjurer who turns adultery, considered the most clichéd and mundane of subjects concerning cinema, into a truly timeless work of art. The unorthodox use of music both from the West and from China helps the film to rise above its regional specificities and become a work of art that is transnational in its spirit. You can watch the film on Max.
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