Raise the Red Lantern Review
Zhang Yimou is one of China’s most celebrated film auteurs. His works, such as Hero and House of Flying Daggers, transcended borders, making their way to the West and earning recognition as two of the finest wuxia films ever made. He also famously directed Scare Out, but the less said about that film, the better. However, 35 years ago, Yimou crafted a notable drama that received widespread acclaim upon its release: Raise the Red Lantern. It is now returning to UK cinemas in a brand-new 4K restoration, which may be the best way to experience this classic.
Based on the novella by Ni Zhen, the film follows nineteen-year-old Songlian (Gong Li) in 1920s China. Forced to marry into wealth, she becomes the fourth mistress of a wealthy lord. After living in his household for some time, she slowly begins to realise that the only way to gain his attention is to compete with the other wives. However, she soon discovers that her actions have consequences.
Visually, the film is absolutely breathtaking. Taking place entirely within a single location, the lord’s household, every shot is beautiful, with little sense of repetition. Zhao Fei has crafted a film that is striking in every frame. It also serves as the perfect vessel to showcase the incredible set design. The lord’s household is a stunning piece of architecture, ripe for exploration by both Songlian and the audience. Yet despite its beauty, over the course of the film’s two-hour runtime, it slowly becomes her prison: a patriarchal hellscape where everyone’s purpose is to serve the lord.
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In this tale of jealousy and bitterness, no one is innocent, and every action has consequences. The film’s exploration of patriarchy demonstrates how, rather than allowing the four women to form a sisterhood, the system encourages them to view one another as rivals competing for the lord’s attention. Given that he can only spend time with one mistress each day, the women see one another primarily as threats. However, when everyone is as spiteful as the next, the resulting drama and regret often feel somewhat flat, as none of the characters is particularly likeable.
While it’s mainly a critique of the patriarchy, and a prickly one of that, especially in a scene where Songlian discusses with the lord her father’s flute. Which is nothing short of painful. An item of family history is simply viewed as a piece of junk by this wealthy man. It’s utterly heartbreaking, truly impactful and one of the best scenes that Yimou has brought to the screen. Another scene where Meishan (Saifei He), the third mistress, and Songlian talk to each other about how no humans live in the household is another standout.
Li is magnificent as Songlian, a teenage girl who, over the course of the film, becomes a shell of her former self. Even when she tries to fight against the system, you can see through Li’s performance that it may be a battle she will lose, but one she will do whatever she can to win. The rest of the cast are also incredible, especially Cuifen Cao as Zhuoyun, the second mistress, who is truly a snake hidden in the grass and delivers that role perfectly.
Raise the Red Lantern is a classic for a reason. Yimou has crafted a technical marvel of a film that has stood the test of time. While certain aspects did not entirely land with me, despite understanding their intention, I could not help but be in awe of what unfolds on screen and of how powerful a deliberately depressing film can be.
★★★★
In UK Cinemas from November 6th / Gong Li, Saifei He, Jingwu Ma, Cuifen Cao / Dir: Zhang Yimou / Central City Media / 12A
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