YIMOU ZHANG

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB.5. 

Original title:  Hong gao liang

China, 1987.  Xi’an Film Studio.  Screenplay by Jianyu Chen, Wei Zhu, based on the books Red Sorghum and Sorghum Wine by Yan Mo.  Cinematography by Changwei Gu.  Produced by Tian-Ming Wu.  Music by Jiping Zhao.

The beginning of director Zhang Yimou’s brilliant career, and his first collaboration with the stunning Li Gong. She plays a young girl from the country who is the purchased wife of a leper who owns a sorghum winery. When he dies, she and her lover take over the place and run it successfully until Japanese invasion threatens their prosperity. With rich photography and passionate acting, this marvelous story sets the way for the even better dramas to come, especially Raise The Red Lantern and The Story Of Qiu Ju.

Berlin Film Festival Award:  Golden Bear