Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Movie Night

I was trying to make a list of my favorite Chinese movies, and I couldn't help but notice almost all of them are somehow connected to either Taiwan or Hong Kong. Mainland Communist China, with its huge population, doesn't seem to be generating any content entertainment-wise; nothing that I enjoy anyway.

A few days ago El Pollo Real said:
Maybe I'm wrong but I don't see an emerging entertainment culture which is China-based.
Dude, I think you're right.

The one movie from the list I might call a Mainland Chinese production, is Hero. The director of the movie was forced to perform hard labor for over a decade. Most Chinese intellectuals of his generation had a similar experience, or died in concentration camps. For several years all universities were effectively shut down, and China started with a mainly rural population, so it's not surprising that they are short talented people. It's why I don't expect the Chinese to take over the world anytime soon.

Anyway, here's my list (you're welcome to offer suggestions in the comments):

Fallen Angels



In the Mood for Love



2046



Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon:



Hero:



Eat Drink Man Woman:

(Worth it just to look at the food.)



Master of the Flying Guillotine:



Saving Face:



Almost any non-Hollywood Jackie Chan movie.

4 comments:

Pete said...

A country with as rich a heritage as China could have a movie industry as exciting as India's.

(Though I've seen only two of the movies on your list, I'd add House of Flying Daggers.)

chickelit said...

A Tag!
Thanks Jason.

Thought of a good plot for a Chinese sitcom based on The Big Bang Theory.

Many things say China about it to me. Two geeky men chasing one woman (fits two stereotypes at once given the ratio of M/F in China). It wouldn't even need to be set at an American university but rather anywhere urban modern China.

Ron said...

There should be at least 4-5 John Woo movies on this list!

Trooper York said...

I haven't ever seen a Chinese movie. I am just afraid that half an hour later I would want to watch another one and I just don't have the time.