Raise the Red Lantern

Raise the Red Lantern is a critically acclaimed 1991 Chinese drama film, directed by masterful filmmaker Zhang Yimou, starring Gong Li, Jingwu Ma, and Saifei He. At the time of its release, the film earned widespread international recognition and acclaim. It beautifully combines strong visual aesthetics with profound thematic depth, making it a classic of contemporary cinema.

The film is based on Su Tong's novella 'Wives and Concubines,' and its story is set in the 1920s in northern China during the Warlord Era, before the Chinese Civil War. It navigates through the labyrinth of Chinese social customs and gender dynamics, focusing on a woman named Songlian (Gong Li), who, due to her family's sudden loss of wealth, agrees to become the fourth concubine, or 'fourth mistress,' to a wealthy man named Chen (Jingwu Ma).

From the outset, 'Raise the Red Lantern' immerses viewers in the labyrinth-like Chen family compound, a space fraught with spatial and psychological complexity. The high walls of the compound become a symbol of confinement and repression, while the lanterns lit daily outside the quarters of the wife favored by Master Chen offer a visceral representation of competition, favoritism, and power games.

Gong Li delivers an outstanding performance as Songlian, putting forward an impressive range of emotions - from sorrow, confusion, rebellion to ultimate despair which makes her character deeply human and relatable. Meanwhile, Jingwu Ma plays the character of Chen with a stoic, dispassionate authority who never appears without casting a long shadow of power and control.

While the majority of the film takes place within the walls of the compound, the costumes, interiors, and ritualistic order within this isolated universe are vividly and strikingly portrayed. The film is famous for its majestic use of color, specifically the recurring potent red of the lanterns, which both lights up the screen and symbolizes tradition, favor, and bloody power within the narrative.

Along with its compelling visual design, the film's narrative captures the rigidly hierarchical, patriarchal society's intricacies. The tension lies not only in the rivalry and jealousy among the wives but also in the unyielding customs and regulations that govern their lives. The sound of the foot massage symbolizes the fleeting allure of power and attention each wife receives, serving to spark and fuel their rivalry.

The musical score, composed by Zhao Jiping, intertwines with the narrative to reinforce moods, moments, and spaces - adding another layer to the already rich cinematic experience, significantly enriching the movie's ambiance.

One of the major themes of 'Raise the Red Lantern' is the tragedy of women's plight, trapped within a feudal society. Despite their individual personalities, intelligence, and strengths, the wives are ultimately reduced to fighting for attention in an oppressive patriarchal world. The wives are constrained not only by the physical walls of the compound but also by centuries-old traditions that severely limit their agency and capacity to determine their own destinies.

However, 'Raise the Red Lantern' is more than a historical drama or feminist critique. It is a universal commentary on the destructive potential of power and the perils of a society that is too rigidly ordered. At the film's heart, it is a beautiful, albeit often tragic, study of human emotions - lust, jealousy, despair, and pride, all confined within the radiant glow of the red lanterns.

'Raise the Red Lantern' is considered one of Zhang Yimou's finest works for good reason. It is a beautiful, evocative film that blends history and drama, tragedy, and beauty. The performances are powerful, the cinematography is stunning, and the narrative is simultaneously personal and universal, examining broader themes of power, tradition, and human desire.

The movie is, therefore, a must-see for fans of foreign cinema or those looking to explore Chinese culture, particularly as it uniquely combines the stark beauty of Chinese art and architecture with a narrative that traverses the subtleties of human emotions and societal structure. It remains timeless, resonating with audiences today, regardless of cultural background or cinematic preferences.