20 best Chinese films

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

From historical films, fantasy and melodramas to intense thrillers and mock documentaries.

20. City 24

• Drama, 2008.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

The Chengdu city authorities decide to demolish the old factory and build an elite residential complex in its place. To show how this event influenced the lives of people of different generations and social strata, director Jia Zhangke uses an unusual form: documentary footage and real interviews are combined with scenes in the style of pseudo-documentary.

19. Lust

• Thriller, drama, melodrama, military, 2007.
• Duration: 157 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The year is 1938. In territory occupied by the Japanese army, a group of Chinese students plans to contribute to the liberation of their home country by assassinating influential collaborator Mr. Yi. Young and attractive Jiazhi has a role to play in this plan - to win Mr. Yi's trust and lure him into a trap. However, as you might predict, things will not be that simple.

18. House of Flying Daggers

• Action, drama, melodrama, 2004.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Secret agent Jing pursues the leaders of the rebel movement. To complete the task, he rubbed into the confidence of the daughter of the head of the resistance. In fact, the hero falls into a trap.

17. Earthquake

• Drama, 2010.
• Duration: 136 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and became the second deadliest in human history. The film directed by Feng Xiaogang is dedicated to this catastrophe.

Li Yuanni's young daughter and son were hit by the rubble. The mother had a chance to save only one child, otherwise both would have died. The woman had to make the hardest choice - and live with it further.

16. Flowers of War

• Action, drama, military, 2011.
• Duration: 146 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

During the Sino-Japanese War, American undertaker John travels to Nanjing. There he turns out to be the only man among the students of the monastery and the inhabitants of the local brothel. Trying to help the girls, John pretends to be a priest.

15. Drunken Master 2

• Action, comedy, 1994.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

A rare case when the sequel to the film was better than the first part. Master Huang Feihong finds himself drawn into the story of the theft of ancient Chinese relics.

As usual, Jackie Chan makes incredible bales while still being very funny.

14. Qiu Tszyu goes to court

• Drama, comedy, 1992.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The husband of a peasant woman, Qiu Jiu, suffered at the hands of the village headman and was unable to work until the injury had healed. Although a local official convinced the headman to pay compensation for the treatment, he refused to admit his guilt. This, according to Qiu Tszyu, is outrageous, and she is ready to go through all the circles of bureaucratic hell to restore justice.

Many street scenes were filmed with a hidden camera, so the film provides a rare opportunity to observe the daily life of the Chinese hinterland in the early 90s - and what happens on the screen often causes some kind of irrational recognition.

13. City of life and death

• Drama, military, history, 2009.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Director Lu Chuan's work on the Nanking Massacre that took place in the winter of 1937. The events are shown not only through the eyes of the defenders and residents of the city, but also from the point of view of a soldier of the army of the Japanese invaders. And black-and-white photography reminds of documentary chronicle and gives realism. The film takes a living and carries a clear humanistic message: war is only horror, loss and pain.

12. Hired Assassin

• action, thriller, 1989.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Action master John Woo directed a film about a hit man who befriended the police officer who was chasing him. During the execution of one task, the killer accidentally deprives the singer of her sight. He wants to pay the girl for the operation, but for this he will have to complete another order.

11. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

• Fantasy, action, melodrama, 2000.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

This film, deservedly loved by critics and audiences, has collected a heap of awards, including four "Oscars", and was very successful at the box office. It could not be otherwise: a dynamic adventure plot twisted around a magical artifact, a wonderful acting game, Eastern philosophy, a love drama and, of course, combat stunts and flights typical of the genre.

An excellent choice if you want high-quality and spectacular action, and American films about superheroes are already fed up.

10. Hero

• Fantasy, action, drama, 2002.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

A parable illustrating Confucian ideas of justice and duty, wisdom and valor. The unnamed hero arrives at the court of the ruler of the Qin dynasty and tells how he defeated three enemies who threaten the ruler's life. However, the truth does not open immediately: we will see three variants of the events in question at once.

The captivating and deep storyline complements the beautiful visuals: the film is sure to give you aesthetic pleasure.

9. Double castling

• Thriller, drama, crime, 2002.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The boss of the Hong Kong mafia injects his man into the police. However, among his confidants there is also a "mole" - an undercover policeman. Both sides seek to expose each other, and a deadly game begins.

If the opening sounds familiar, then you've probably watched Scorsese's Departed, which won four Oscars. This is a remake of "Castling Double", which can hardly be surpassed in terms of psychological tension, plot accuracy and subtlety of acting.

8. Yip Man

• Action, drama, 2008.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The film is based on real events from the life of the martial arts master Ip Man - the mentor of the legendary Bruce Lee. He was the first to open a Wing Chun school and carefully selected worthy students.

And the picture shows his opposition to the Japanese invaders during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Recommended for viewing to all lovers of martial arts and stories about fortitude, valor and honor.

7. Farewell, my concubine

• Drama, melodrama, 1993.
• Duration: 156 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

A film about how art becomes life and life becomes art. This is the story of two actors from the Peking Opera and a former courtesan who turns out to be closely associated with them.

Stage performances and behind-the-scenes events take place against a backdrop of political turmoil, and this combination provides a dynamic storyline, emotional depth and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Beijing in the first half of the 20th century.

The film is considered one of the central works of the so-called fifth generation of Chinese directors and has won the Palme d'Or and many other foreign film awards.

6. Raise the red lantern

• Drama, melodrama, history, 1991.
• Duration: 125 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

This intimate drama takes place on the estate of a wealthy Chinese feudal lord. Young Songlian is sold to him as his wife, and the girl becomes the youngest, fourth mistress. All the inhabitants of the estate are obliged to observe various traditions and rituals, and for the attention of the master, a war is waged in sophisticated ways, hidden from the eyes of strangers.

5. In the mood for love

• Drama, melodrama, 2000.
• Duration: 98 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The ability to turn the most banal plot into a work of art is a testament to the artist's true skill. The story, as old as the world, about a man and a woman who was accidentally brought together by fate, becomes light and lyrical, sad and fleeting, like summer evenings.

Wong Karwai doesn’t miss a beat, and as a result, the looks and gestures, music, color and vibe of 60s Hong Kong create magic.

4. Chungking Express

• Drama, melodrama, crime, 1994.
• Duration: 102 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Another painting, unique in its style, from the early works of Wong Karwai. It consists of two stories: the first is about a young policeman suffering from lost love, and the second is about another young policeman whose personal life is also not at all smooth.

In the presence of a mysterious drug dealer and a weird diner waitress, strange habits, fateful meetings and partings, loneliness and tenderness, dreams and many real human feelings.

As another reason why the film is worth watching: Quentin Tarantino was so impressed that the director independently organized his release in the United States.

3. Devils at the doorstep

• Drama, military, comedy, 2000.
• Duration: 139 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Two Japanese prisoners find themselves in a Chinese village devastated after the war. They are watched over and looked after by a local peasant. Gradually, the opinion of residents about the enemies is changing.

2. Under the hot sun

• Drama, history, 1994.
• Duration: 140 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Artistic comprehension of the "cultural revolution" in China, only now through the eyes of a teenager who cares little about what is happening in the country. Hot summer, the spirit of freedom, street showdowns and the first falling in love - there is no politics in this film, only nostalgia for a beautiful youth. The director of the film, Jiang Wen, said that many of the events in the film are based on his memories.

1. Live

• Drama, military, history, 1994.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The epic saga of Zhang Yimou is about how one family, once rich and influential, experienced large-scale historical events of the middle of the 20th century: the civil war in China and the "cultural revolution".

At home, the film was banned for criticizing the policies of the communist government. However, abroad the picture was appreciated and awarded three prizes at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.