Modern China has already been known for the country’s booming and developing economy. But what do we actually know about China and Chinese culture? What can we say about Chinese cinematography? If you’re a student willing to find out more about Chinese cinematography to practice language skills, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can find the top 5 Chinese films that can help to upgrade your Chinese listening skills. Read on!
Farewell My Concubine, 1993
The film is based on an interesting Lilian Lee’s novel ‘Farewell My Concubine.’ The story is about 2 male main actors and friends playing in Beijing opera, and the woman who sets them apart. The plot of this popular film not only depict the exciting story but also – tells about both political and social instability of that time (the mid-1800s) in China. The acting and amazing visuals of Farewell My Concubine and historical context (or setting) make the film even more descriptive and beautiful.
Mind that the film lasts nearly 3 hours; thus, this is a perfect film for you to plunge into the atmosphere of the mid-1800s in China, and meanwhile – learn Chinese. When enjoying films like these, you can do both – watch legendary, world-famous classics and practice language skills.
Blind Shaft, 2003
Blind Shaft is a film based on the short novel Sacred Wood (Shen Mu) by Chinese writer Liu Qingbang; the scriptwriter and director was Li Yang, who became world-famous after the film. The ratings of Blind Shaft at IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes are impressive as well – 7.5/10 and 95%, respectively.
The plot is about Chinese con artists who pretend to be coal miners, and in such a way, gain money for a living. The plan of the main characters Song Jinming (the real artist’s name – Li Yixiang) and Tang Zgaoyang (the real artist’s name – Wang Shuangbao), was to run a scam that they’ve previously managed to accomplish many times.
Previously they’ve killed another miner and arranged the death as an accident to get compensations as the victim’s family members. Their new plan was to duplicate the situation with a young teenage boy as their new victim. Nevertheless, their plan ruins as soon as one of the con artists starts feeling mercy and sorry to the boy.
The film is about moral issues that people face in rural and poor regions of China, about social problems, rising poverty in modern China, about the difficult and unbearable life of people forcing them to struggle and eke out a living in any possible way.
This film would be great for a student to watch as a perfect way to learn and practice specific vocabulary, to find out in more detail about every-day life problems of the poor in China and thus – get a full understanding of China and Chinese.
Beijing Bicycle, 2001
Trying to find a topic for your movie review or already thinking to seek assistance, check essay writing service reviews to pick the best one for you? Great ideas, but hold on for a moment! The following touching drama by the director Wang Xiaoshuai, who’s considered to be Sixth Generation Chinese director, will impress you.
Beijing Bicycle is a drama film about a 17-year-old young jobseeker Guei (the real actor’s name – Cui Lin) that came to Beijing. He eventually gets hired as a courier and receives a new bicycle from the company. However, the bike got stolen, and stubborn Guei tries to find his new bicycle.
Meanwhile, Jian (the real actor’s name – Li Bin) buys the Guei’s bicycle at a second-hand market. When Guei finally finds the new owner (and obviously, his bike), not only the issue of the bicycle appears to be questioned. The film itself develops the issues concerned about social inequality, theft and rural-urban socio-economic change.
This film is perfect for getting into the real-life issues of modern Chinese society, while not being highly dramatic and emotionally difficult to watch (as Blind Shaft, for example). Here you can find useful vocabulary used not only in Beijing but also in rural regions of the Chinese Republic, that can be very useful in your learning path.
Chinese cinematography, unfortunatel,y has not become highly popular and well-known for many Americans lately. However, there are many amazing masterpieces that you’ll find interesting – no doubts. And isn’t it amazing that you can also develop and learn Chinese with the help of captivating and non-trivial Chinese cinematography? No student will be able to resist the interest!
