YIMOU ZHANG

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB.5. 

Japan/China, 1990.  China Film Co-Production Corporation, China Film Release Import and Export Company, Tokuma Shoten, Xi’an Film Studio.  Screenplay by Heng Liu.  Cinematography by Changwei Gu, Lun Yang.  Produced by Hu Jian, Yasuyoshi Tokuma, Wenze Zhang.  Music by Ru-jin Xia, Jiping Zhao.  Production Design by Juiping Cao, Xia Rujin.  Costume Design by Zhi-an Zhang.  Film Editing by Yuan Du.  

Li Gong is excellent as a beautiful young woman who is married to a handicapped, infertile owner of a rural dye mill. When she falls in love with her husband’s nephew, she conceives a child with him and raises it as her husband’s. This fantastic character drama is highlighted by stunning period detail and beautiful, lush photography.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Foreign Language Film

Cannes Film Festival:  In Competition