The Chinese cinema has its roots in the twentieth century with a dominance of Shanghai , before the First World War. In its early days, Chinese opera served as a direct inspiration for Chinese cinema.
During the second world war, then the civil war, the cinema is controlled by the state and is very marked by the Soviet empire. Hong Kong is slowly becoming the nerve center of Chinese cinema with productions of martial arts films and Bruce Lee starring.
The cinema of mainland China is experiencing a revival in the 1990s while Hong Kong continues to conquer the world.
Today, with the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, Chinese cinema films include most of the films in Mandarin, which can also be seen in Mandarin lessons, whether they are productions from China. , Taiwan or Hong Kong. The distinction no longer matters.
But what are the greatest successes of Chinese cinema? Far from being exhaustive, here is a list of the 10 most famous films on the Chinese side to enhance your Chinese lessons.
Top Chinese movie: Farewell my concubine
Released: 1993
Genre: drama
Production: Chinese and Hong Kong
Main actors: Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, Gong Li
Director: Chen Kaige
Synopsis: It all started at the Peking Opera School. Douzi and Shitou befriended from an early age.
The film is directly inspired by the Chinese opera of the same name Adieu ma concubine . Before the Han Dynasty, Prince Xiang Yu must bid farewell to his concubine Yu Ji, who commits suicide before the murder of his beloved by Liu Bang, future Emperor Gaozu.
The two boys Douzi (Dieyi on stage) and Shitou (Xialou on stage) never leave each other. They play together at the theater Adieu ma concubine, Douzi having the female role.
Little by little, Douzi falls in love with his friend Shitou, who prefers a prostitute, Juxian. In 1937, the Japanese entered China and Shitou was thrown in prison for taking sides against the occupier. Douzi tries to save him and their friendship is severely tested …
Love, hate, resentment, friendship, anger … Many feelings are expressed through the story of these two characters.
And to understand it in the original language, why not take Chinese lessons in Paris?
Chinese Martial Arts Movie: Tiger and Dragon
Released: 2000
Genre: drama, action
Production: Chinese, American, Hong Kong and Taiwanese
Main actors: Chow Yun Fat, Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh
Directors: Ang Lee and Yuen Woo-Ping
Synopsis: Worthy of a choreography, this martial arts film is an adaptation of a novel by Wang Dulu, published in the 1940s. Tiger and Dragon won 4 Oscars and 2 Golden Globes , as well as numerous other awards.
It tells the story of Li Mu Bai, a specialist in martial arts in ancient China. Tired of constantly fighting, he offers his sword, named “Destiny”, to Yu Shu Lien, whom he secretly loves. She herself must deliver this sword to Lord Té. On the way, she meets Jiao Long who is promised to a man she doesn’t like. The two women find themselves caught in a gear after the theft of the magic sword . They must find it at all costs.
To discover Chinese culture, follow the adventures of two young women from deep China to the Great Wall or simply to escape with a trip to China, here is a perfect film, which can also be seen during Chinese Paris 13!
In the mood for love, drama of Chinese cinema
Released: 2000
Genre: drama
Production: Hong Kong and Chinese
Main actors: Maggie Cheung, Toni Leung Chiu Wai, Rebecca Pan
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
Synopsis: The story takes place in Hong Kong in 1962. The same day, Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan move in with their respective husbands. They are in fact neighbors. Mr. Chow’s wife is regularly absent and Ms. Chan’s husband is constantly on business trips.
Little by little, Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan will realize that their spouses have a relationship. This discovery, while shocking, has the power to bring them together. Very quickly, friendship is mixed with other feelings, impossible to hide from the eyes of others … To see in Chinese class!
Best Chinese Movies: Chungking Express
Released: 1994
Genre: action, comedy, drama
Production: Hong Kong
Main actors: Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
Synopsis: Chungking Express is a low budget film, shot primarily at night to use the lighting in bars and open shops.
It tells the story of two cops , number 223 and number 663. Newly single, they will each meet a girl in strange circumstances. The story takes place in Hong Kong, not far from the People’s Republic of China.
So of course, this is not auteur cinema, but the cinema criticism is good and it is pleasant to observe the twists and turns of the love and chaotic life of these two police officers.
Chinese film success: the secret of the flying daggers
Released: 2004
Genre: action, drama
Production: Chinese and Hong Kong
Main actors: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi
Director: Zhang Yimou
Synopsis: Sino-Hong Kong martial arts film, The Secret of the Flying Daggers takes place under the Tang dynasty in 859. Inspired by the story of Robin Hood , the Flying Daggers, a gang of bandits, steal from the rich to give to the poor .
The government takes a very dim view of these thefts and sends two captains Leo and Jin to capture the leader of the Flying Daggers. One of the most popular China films internationally for its “action movie” side!
But this film is also a love story between a young blind girl and one of the captains in charge of capturing the leader of the bandits. A real masterpiece to watch in Chinese for more intensity.
Chinese seventh art: Infernal Affairs
Released: 2002
Genre: thriller, drama, action
Production: Hong Kong
Main actors: Toni Leung, Andrew Lau, Eric Tsang
Directors: Alan Mak and Andrew Lau
Synopsis: In Hong-Kong, the police and the mafia, called the triad, are engaged in a merciless struggle. Each has an infiltrator: Ming, in the Hong Kong police, is actually under Sam, boss of the triad, while Yan has been an undercover police officer in the triad for 10 years.
The two men are tired of the role they play and would like for the first to become a real police officer and for the second to retire.
Chinese blockbuster movie: Coming Home
Released: 2014
Genre: drama
Production: Chinese
Main actors: Gong Li, Chen Daoming.
Director: Yimou Zhang
Synopsis: Immersed in the heart of Chinese civilization, in the midst of the Cultural Revolution, Coming Home tells the story of Lu Yanshi, detained for more than 10 years for bad class origin. Finally released, he returns home to find his wife Feng Wanyu.
Unfortunately, the poor girl suffers from amnesia and does not recognize it. Every day, she waits for her husband even though he has come back to her side …
Fan of Chinese movies, don’t miss this movie! If you can, try the original version with subtitles in order to progress in Chinese lessons!
