Raise of The Red Lantern. Directed by Zhang Yimou.
This film won several best Foreign Language Film Awards such as Vernice International Film Festival.
Synopsis: China in the 1920′s. After her father’s death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, the lord of a powerful family. Fifty year old Chen has already three wives, each of them living in separate houses within the great castle. The competition between the wives is tough, as their master’s attention carries power, status and privilege. Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend the night and a red lantern is lit in front of the house of his choice. And each wife schemes and plots to make sure it’s hers. Back to 1920s, girls are considered as bad luck in China because they cannot inherit the family like males. Before marriage, obey the father. During marriage, obey the husband. After marriage, obey the son. In this film, marriage is not about love. It against he stereotypes…Audiences are entering into the hidden world. For example, When Zong Lian is married to Chen. There’s no sign of celebration. It is more like married into a systemand expectations.
Another theme is male domination. Male will carry the family name from generation to generation. Therefore, The obligation is to have sons in order to gain position. Also, only male can play instrument or when the maid gets sick. The owner only cares about his reputation. Talking about Chen’s tradition. First, concubine system shows a power of the husband. The new mistress has to pay the respect to the old mistresses. 4 mistresses have to have breakfast together. If the red lantern lit in front of any mistress the following day she will have the privilege to order the food. Chen’s rules are very strict until Zong Lian comes.
The symbolisms are the red color which represents lust, sin and power. Foot massage represents sex and power. When Zong Lian did not receive foot massage. She feels something…so she calls her maid to give her a foot massage.
The mood in this film: pride, jealousy, stubbornness and schemes.
Characters analysis:
4 characteristics of woman of what extremes they would go to earn a higher place for themselves.
1st mistress (Aging) already fulfilled obligation of having a son now she’s abandoned. Husband favors the young mistress and now she doesn’t care much about life anymore. 2nd mistress (Deception) appears to be nice to Zong lian throughout the film but ended up he had put on a mask n order to win favors of the husband. 3rd mistress (Punishment) She used to be a beautiful singer and still singing when she’s miserable. She gets too pressure so deciding to have an affair and end up with tragedy. 4th mistress which is Zong Lian. She’s educated girl who doesn’t follow the rules. She doesn’t like the circle of jealousy in the house but later on she becomes one of them. She wants to win so she decides to fake a pregnancy.
The owner of this house = the husband. (How powerful to the wives)
We don’t see his face. His dialogues are short but mostly orders.
Maid (Social Climbing)
dream of becoming a mistress. She was caught telling the other mistress that Zong lian did not pregnant so she was punished to knee down. When the maid falls down and the lantern burns down meaning that she never reach the dream.
Opening sequence: Zong lian decides to walk instead of riding the carriage showing the state of the character.
Ending sequence: Zong lian wears he same dress as the first day she comes to this place.
