Hong gao liang (1987)

Director:

Yimou Zhang

Writers:

Jianyu Chen (writer)
Yan Mo (books)

Release Date:

February 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

In 1930s China a young woman is sent by her father to marry the leprous owner of a winery. In the nearby...

Plot Keywords:

Sino Japanese War | Based On Book

Awards:

5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Li Gong	...	My Grandma
Wen Jiang	...	My Grandpa
Rujun Ten	...	Uncle Luohan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zhigang Chen
Kun Dong
Guoguang Du
Xiaoguang Hu
Liu Jia	...	Father, as child
Cunhua Ji	...	Bandit
Yusheng Li
Laijing Nie
Yang Qianbin
Ming Qian
Hongguang Wang
Guoqing Xu
Erga Yao
Chunhua Zhai
Yimou Zhang
Yuxiang Zhang
Jia Zhaoji
Guiyun Zhou

Also Known As:

Red Sorghum

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

China

Language:

Mandarin

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Argentina:18 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Peru:18 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

China

Company:

Xi'an Film Studio

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Turandot Project (2000)

A Singular Chinese Film

There are several versions of this film available on video. Some are in wide screen, some aren't. The impact of the visuals is lost without the full-shot wide screen. Then there are two different subtitled versions, one that has large subtitles and another that uses smaller but less intrusive subtitles, which is the best of the two. So depending on what version of the video you're watching, your experience of the film can vary. But assuming you get your hands on the good version...

This film is like a quiet fairy tale that transforms into something that I didn't see coming. The visuals are stunning. The story slowly unfolds but is presented so well that it's completely compelling. The acting is as good as it gets. And the ending hits you like a punch in the stomach.

This films stands out from all other Chinese films I have seen. It has a character uniquely its own, and is well worth seeking out.