The culmination of Zhang Yimou’s ‘Red Trilogy’, and perhaps his most accomplished film, Raise the Red Lantern follows an educated young woman named Songlian (Gong Li, once again), who is sold into marriage with the rich tyrant Master Chen. The Qiao Family Compound provides the basis for one of the great single-setting films, a bewildering fortress of walls, gates, and chambers which reflects the maze of political and sexual challenges which Songlian must navigate if she is to survive. Fittingly, Raise the Red Lantern is Zhang at his most theatrical. Here, surface level appearances are deceitful, and every gesture or phrase hides a double meaning. The world of repeated rituals and contests between the four competing wives of Master Chen is both intoxicating and frightening. Prosperity and favour are inextricably linked to performance (that of duties and of identity), often the only course of agency for women in the patriarchal societies depicted in many of Zhang’s films. Winner of the Silver Lion at Venice in 1991, Raise the Red Lantern is finally available to see once again in the cinema.
Our Screening on 23 July was introduced by Tony Rayns.
Our screening on Saturday 27 July was introduced by Xiaoning Lu (SOAS).
Cast:
Gong Li, Ma Jingwu, He Saifei, Cao Cuifen
Silvia Cerrada Jimenez posted their thoughts on Raise the Red Lantern 4 months ago
I would like to be added to the waiting list for the Monday 5th of August screening, please.
Hi Silvia, if you’re logged into your account you can click the ‘join waiting list’ link next to the screening time, which will add you to the list.
A lot of the Zhang Yimou screenings are sold out. As they are so popular and if possible, perhaps consider adding additional screenings or bringing them back again before too long?
Hi Ricardo, we’ll look into the feasibility of this, although some of the films are quite expensive/complicated to book, so we are restricted, to a degree.
I was going to make similar suggestion. Being on a different screening I have found that sometimes sold out tickets shows real screen room first row availability. Perhaps we could think on a way that people that book and no turns up can be still some availability for eager viewers on a waiting list. So, I can think that if there is only allow to…[Read more]
Hi Silvia,
Thanks for your message. Although we understand the frustration, it’s not possible for us to sell a ticket more than once, even if the original booker decides not to show up. We send out reminders prior to screenings, asking people to cancel if they’re no longer able to make it, but sadly we can’t force people – if they choose not to…[Read more]