Chinese Film

Chinese cinema only came to international attention in the 1980s, with the lavish visuals and powerful stories of such Fifth Generation directors as Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who challenged the censors with period and contemporary subjects alike. Neighbouring Taiwan also found its cinematic voice around this time, courtesy of Hou Hsiao-hsien a... show more >

Chinese cinema only came to international attention in the 1980s, with the lavish visuals and powerful stories of such Fifth Generation directors as Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who challenged the censors with period and contemporary subjects alike. Neighbouring Taiwan also found its cinematic voice around this time, courtesy of Hou Hsiao-hsien and Ang Lee. But their meticulous pictures contrast with the rougher, readier approach adopted by mainland newcomers like Jia Zhang-ke, Wang Xiaoshuai and Lou Ye in their combative exposés of the human cost of China's economic boom. < show less