YIMOU ZHANG
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBB.5.
Japan/China, 1990. , 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. Academy Awards 1990. Cannes Film Festival 1990.
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.
