Chinese Cinema
Alice's collection of Chinese films is growing as the film industry there expands and begins to embrace an ever-increasing international audience. Films from China are often marked by great craft and attention to detail, and the stories are involved and often carry a political subtext. Though we have very little that is pre-1990, there is everything here from engaging personal stories to sweeping historical epics.
Pictured: Maggie Cheung in the stylized and breath-takingly beautiful 'Hero' from master craftsman Zhang Yimou.
The World (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Jia Zhang-ke
Starring: Zhao Tao, Chen Taisheng, Jue Jing, Zhong-wei Jiang, Yi-qun Wang
Set in the massive theme park outside Beijing where famous world landmarks are recreated, this beautiful allegorical film (and ironic given the endles... Read more
House of Flying Daggers (2004)
7.6/10
Director: Zhang Yimou
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Song Dandan
Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Andy Lau star in this stunning blend of lyrical romance and eye-popping fight scenes. Mei is an exotic, beautiful bl... Read more
Blind Shaft (2003)
7.6/10
Director: Li Yang
Starring: Wang Baoqiang, Wang Shuangbao, Li Qiang
This gritty, guerrilla-style drama centers on two con men who set out to strike a blow against the spirit-crushing coal mining industry of Northwester... Read more
Warriors of Heaven and Earth ( Blu-ray ) (2003)
6.4/10
Director: He Ping
Starring: Wen Jiang, Nakai Kiichi, Zhao Wei, Wang Xueqi
After years of service to the Chinese Emperor, Japanese emissary Lai Xi longs to return home, but is bound to complete one last mission - the capture... Read more
Zhou Yu's Train (2003)
Director: Sun Zhou
Starring: Gong Li, Tony Leung (Ka Fai), Sun Honglei
This stylized romantic drama sees Zhou Yu (Gong Li) take a long train ride twice a week to meet her poet lover, Tony Leung. But accompanying her on t... Read more
Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2003)
6.4/10
Director: He Ping
Starring: Wen Jiang, Nakai Kiichi, Zhao Wei, Wang Xueqi
After years of service to the Chinese Emperor, Japanese emissary Lai Xi longs to return home, but is bound to complete one last mission - the capture... Read more
Together With You (2002)
7.3/10
Director: Kaige Chen
A violin prodigy and his father travel to Beijing, where the father seeks the means to his son's success while the son struggles to accept the path la... Read more
Hero ( Blu-ray ) (2002)
7.9/10
Director: Zhang Yimou
Starring: Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung (Chiu Wai), Zhang Ziyi, Daoming Ch...
Director Zhang Yimou's highly stylized martial arts epic stars Jet Li as a nameless expert swordsman, who tells the ruler of one of ancient China's wa... Read more
Warm Spring (2002)
6.6/10
Director: Wulan Tana
Starring: Tian Chengren, Zhang Yan, Hao Yang, Yu Weijie
Directed by Wulan Tana this poignant drama is the tale of young orphan Xiao Hua, who after fleeing the clutches of an abusive foster parent, finds a s... Read more
Life Show (2002)
Director: Huo Jianqi
Starring: Tao Hong, Tao Zeru
Adapted from the acclaimed novel by Chi Li, this affecting character study centres on Lai Shuang Yang a young, single woman living in revolutionary Ch... Read more