He has done many great films, although I tend to prefer the work of more independent filmmakers in today’s China.
As for Zhang Yimou, I favour the more intimate, poetic and undoubtedly painful films (in the way they look at the effects of History on the individuals), mainly To Live and Raise the Red Lantern, to the latter monumental extravaganzas like Hero or Curse of the Golden Flower. He proved to be a remarkable cinematographer (just look at his work in Chen Kaige’s first film, the magnificent Red Earth) and remains one the most talented directors of today to use colour in his films. He also gives heartfelt portraits of China and the Chinese people, which I find particularly interesting.
- The Goddess (1934) – Wu Yonggang
- Song at Midnight (1937) – Ma-Xu Weibang
- Spring River Flows East (1947) – Cai Chusheng; Zheng Junli
- Spring in a Small Town (1948) – Fei Mu
- Yellow Earth (1984) – Chen Kaige
- Mama (1991) – Zhang Yuan
- Raise the Red Lantern (1991) – Zhang Yimou
- Chungking Express (1994) – Wong Kar Wai
- To Live (1994) – Zhang Yimou
- Xiao Wu (1997) – Jia Zhang Ke
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – Ang Lee
- Devils on the Doorstep (2000) – Jiang Wen
- In the Mood for Love (2000) – Wong Kar Wai
- Platform (2000) – Jia Zhang Ke
- Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002) – Dai Sijie
- Infernal Affairs (2002) – Andrew Lau; Alan Mak
- The World (2004) – Jia Zhang Ke
- Grain in Ear (2005) – Zhang Lu
- Isabella (2006) – Pang Ho-Cheung
- Summer Palace (2006) – Lou Ye
- Where is Your Fish Today? (2006) – Xiaolu Guo
- Blind Mountain (2007) – Li Yang
- He Fengming (2007) – Wang Bing
- Lust, Caution (2007) – Ang Lee
- The Red Jacket (2007) – Zou Yalin
- Sparrow (2008) – Johnnie To
Scenes of City Life 1 – Sound of the Mountain 0
Two Stage Sisters (Xie Jin) 1 – After the Rain (Koizumi) 0
In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-Wai) 1 – Humanity and Paper Balloons (Yamanaka) 0
City of Sadness, Dust in the Wind, A Time to Live and a Time to Die, The Puppetmaster and Three Times are my favourites. But his body of work is all extraordinary.
Yimou Zhang criticism and praise. almost 3 years ago
He has done many great films, although I tend to prefer the work of more independent filmmakers in today’s China.
As for Zhang Yimou, I favour the more intimate, poetic and undoubtedly painful films (in the way they look at the effects of History on the individuals), mainly To Live and Raise the Red Lantern, to the latter monumental extravaganzas like Hero or Curse of the Golden Flower. He proved to be a remarkable cinematographer (just look at his work in Chen Kaige’s first film, the magnificent Red Earth) and remains one the most talented directors of today to use colour in his films. He also gives heartfelt portraits of China and the Chinese people, which I find particularly interesting.
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What's your top 3 Marilyn Monroe Films? almost 3 years ago
The Misfits
Bus Stop
Some Like it Hot
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Favorite fassbinder film almost 3 years ago
The Marriage of Maria Braun
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Films from China almost 3 years ago
Some of those I remember:
- The Goddess (1934) – Wu Yonggang
- Song at Midnight (1937) – Ma-Xu Weibang
- Spring River Flows East (1947) – Cai Chusheng; Zheng Junli
- Spring in a Small Town (1948) – Fei Mu
- Yellow Earth (1984) – Chen Kaige
- Mama (1991) – Zhang Yuan
- Raise the Red Lantern (1991) – Zhang Yimou
- Chungking Express (1994) – Wong Kar Wai
- To Live (1994) – Zhang Yimou
- Xiao Wu (1997) – Jia Zhang Ke
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – Ang Lee
- Devils on the Doorstep (2000) – Jiang Wen
- In the Mood for Love (2000) – Wong Kar Wai
- Platform (2000) – Jia Zhang Ke
- Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002) – Dai Sijie
- Infernal Affairs (2002) – Andrew Lau; Alan Mak
- The World (2004) – Jia Zhang Ke
- Grain in Ear (2005) – Zhang Lu
- Isabella (2006) – Pang Ho-Cheung
- Summer Palace (2006) – Lou Ye
- Where is Your Fish Today? (2006) – Xiaolu Guo
- Blind Mountain (2007) – Li Yang
- He Fengming (2007) – Wang Bing
- Lust, Caution (2007) – Ang Lee
- The Red Jacket (2007) – Zou Yalin
- Sparrow (2008) – Johnnie To
(I haven’t included Taiwanese films)
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FEMALE DIRECTORS over 2 years ago
Teresa Villaverde, from Portugal
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Female Directors — How many can you name? over 2 years ago
I must add Teresa Villaverde (Portugal) and Xu Jinglei (China)
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WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL VOTING: CHINA V JAPAN over 2 years ago
Scenes of City Life 1 – Sound of the Mountain 0
Two Stage Sisters (Xie Jin) 1 – After the Rain (Koizumi) 0
In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-Wai) 1 – Humanity and Paper Balloons (Yamanaka) 0
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Where to start with Hou Hsaio-Hsien about 2 years ago
City of Sadness, Dust in the Wind, A Time to Live and a Time to Die, The Puppetmaster and Three Times are my favourites. But his body of work is all extraordinary.
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mubi about 2 years ago
I do not like the new name at all. I wish you could change it back…
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No Country For Mubi - Possible names for this site other than Mubi about 2 years ago
The Auteurs was just perfect…
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