Movies About Mao

From Kaige Chen, starring Leslie Cheung, Fengyi Zhang, Gong Li, You Ge
Rated R

Farewell My Concubine is an acclaimed Chinese drama film directed by Kaige Chen and released in 1993. Set in the 1920s and 1930s, the film follows the lifelong story of two Peking Opera performers, Dieyi and Xiaolou, and their complicated relationship with each other and with the woman they both love, Juxian. The story takes place during a time of great upheaval in Chinese history, as war and political unrest threaten to upend their lives. As the years go by, Dieyi and Xiaolou must decide where their loyalties truly lie, even as they find themselves increasingly divided by their political beliefs. The film examines love, loyalty, and the country’s turbulent history, weaving together an unforgettable tale of human drama.

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Maggie Cheung, Siu Ping-Lam, Tung Cho 'Joe' Cheung
Rated PG

In the Mood for Love is a 2000 romantic drama film directed by Kar-Wai Wong. Set in Hong Kong in 1962, the film follows the relationship between the reserved Chow Mo-wan and the enigmatic Su Li-zhen, two neighbors whose spouses have an affair with each other. As their own spouses spend more time away from home, Chow and Su spend more time together, and they develop a platonic friendship as they share their loneliness. As they get closer, they must confront the feelings they have for each other and the realization of their spouses’ infidelity.

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Faye Wong
Rated PG-13

Chungking Express is a 1994 romantic-comedy film directed by Kar-Wai Wong. The film follows two love stories that take place in the same city—Chungking—over the span of a few weeks. In the first story, Cop 223 (Takeshi Kaneshiro) is a police officer who is still mourning the death of his ex-girlfriend, May. He is searching for a new purpose in life and finds solace in the form of a mysterious woman known as "The Woman in the Blonde Wig" (Brigitte Lin). In the second story, Cop 663 (Tony Leung) has just been dumped by his girlfriend. He is trying to move on with his life and finds comfort in the form of a mysterious woman known as "The Girl with the Long Hair" (Faye Wong). The film is notable for its plaintive visuals, dreamy soundtrack, and the unique way in which it incorporates Hong Kong's unique culture and landscape into its narrative. The film is an exploration of love, loss, and longing. It is a classic example of Wong's poetic style as a director.

From Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan, Ka-Tung Lam
Rated R

Ip Man is a 2008 martial arts biopic directed by Wilson Yip. It stars Donnie Yen as Ip Man, a martial arts master who eventually becomes the mentor of Bruce Lee. The story follows Ip Man's life from the 1930s in Foshan, China through the 1940s Japanese occupation and the Second Sino-Japanese War. The film begins with Ip Man's rise as a respected martial arts master in Foshan. He eventually challenges a rival master, Gong Yutian, leading to Ip Man's defeat. Ip Man's reputation is damaged, so he and his family are forced to move to Hong Kong. There, he works hard to support his family and rebuild his reputation. Ip Man soon faces another challenge in the form of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. He is forced to fight against the occupying forces, including the notorious General Miura. Ip Man is captured and tortured, but he eventually escapes and becomes a symbol of hope and courage to the Chinese people. The film follows Ip Man's life and martial arts career, culminating in his meeting and mentoring of Bruce Lee. Ip Man's teachings and philosophy, which focus on humility, self-improvement

From Yimou Zhang, starring Jet Li, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Maggie Cheung, Ziyi Zhang
Rated PG-13

Hero is a 2002 Chinese martial arts film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Jet Li as the nameless protagonist, an assassin who is summoned to meet with the King of Qin and tasked with assassinating him. The King is surrounded by three elite warriors who will protect him: Broken Sword (Tony Leung), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), and Sky (Donnie Yen). The nameless protagonist must battle them all in order to reach the king, eventually succeeding and being given the title "Hero" by the King for his bravery. The story then takes a twist, however, as we discover that the nameless protagonist has invented a series of stories in order to deceive the King, each successive story being more elaborate and heroic than the one before it. The King is eventually moved by the nameless protagonist's courage and conviction, and in the end, decides to spare the nameless protagonist's life. The movie ultimately conveys the theme that sometimes it is the courage to tell a lie, to deceive, that is more heroic than telling the truth.

From Ang Lee, starring Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang, Chang Chen
Rated PG-13

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a 2000 martial arts wuxia film directed by Ang Lee and based on the Chinese novel Wuxia by Du Lu Wang. The film stars Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Chang Chen. Set in the Qing Dynasty of Imperial China, the story follows a legendary warrior and retired swordsman Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and his quest to recover an ancient, powerful sword known as the Green Destiny. His quest takes him to the deserts of Mongolia, where he and his friend, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), must battle the mysterious and highly skilled thief known as Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi). Along the way, they discover a secret that could threaten the future of China. Themes of love, honor, loyalty, and friendship are explored throughout the film, and its action sequences, featuring wire-fu style martial arts and stunning cinematography, have become iconic. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and has since become a cult classic.

From Ang Lee, starring Sihung Lung, Kuei-Mei Yang, Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-Lien Wu
Rated Not Rated

Eat Drink Man Woman is a 1994 Taiwanese romantic comedy-drama film directed by Ang Lee. It tells the story of a retired chef and widower, Mr. Chu, who lives with his three unmarried daughters in a large family house in Taipei. As his daughters grow up, their individual paths in life diverge, and Mr. Chu is left to reconcile their choices with his own hopes for them. Through a series of weekly Sunday dinners, Mr. Chu attempts to maintain the family's traditional traditions and bond with his daughters despite their struggle to keep the family together in the face of their changing lives. As they each bring their own tastes, experiences and secrets to the table, the daughters and their father come to understand and appreciate one another in new and unexpected ways.

From Yimou Zhang, starring Ziyi Zhang, Honglei Sun, Hao Zheng, Yulian Zhao
Rated G

The Road Home is a 1999 Chinese romantic drama directed by Yimou Zhang. It tells the story of Luo Yusheng, a man who returns to his village in rural China to attend his father's funeral. He is reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Zhao Di, a young woman who works in the local school. Yusheng soon discovers that his father had wanted him to marry Zhao Di, and he decides to honor his father's wishes. As Yusheng and Zhao Di start to plan their wedding, their families struggle with the clash between traditional values and modern-day life. With a beautiful and bittersweet story, The Road Home is a beautiful and touching exploration of love, family, and the ties that bind us.

From Bernardo Bertolucci, starring John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying
Rated PG-13

The Last Emperor is a 1987 biographical epic film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and starring John Lone, Joan Chen, and Peter O'Toole. Set in the Forbidden City during the final days of the Qing Dynasty in China, the film follows the life of Puyi, the last emperor of China, from his childhood in the imperial court, through his ascension to the throne at age three, his turbulent reign, and his eventual exile. Throughout his life, Puyi struggles to reconcile his conflicting roles as both ruler and prisoner, and is ultimately forced to confront his own mortality, his choices, and the tragedy of his life. The film received nine Academy Award nominations and won all nine, making it the only non-English language film to have won every category in which it was nominated.

From Yimou Zhang, starring Minzhi Wei, Huike Zhang, Zhenda Tian, Enman Gao
Rated G

Not One Less (1999) is a Chinese drama directed by Yimou Zhang. The film tells the story of a 13-year-old girl, Wei Minzhi, who is temporarily hired as a substitute teacher in a small village school in rural China. She must fill in for the regular teacher, who is away on a month-long trip to get married. Despite having no teaching experience and few resources, Wei Minzhi struggles to keep her students in check and to keep them all in school. Along the way, she learns the importance of responsibility and understanding, as well as of resilience and perseverance. The film is a gentle, yet powerful, portrait of rural life in China and of the power of education and learning.

From Chuan Lu, starring Ye Liu, Wei Fan, Hideo Nakaizumi, Yuanyuan Gao
Rated R

City of Life and Death is a 2009 Chinese historical drama film about the Rape of Nanking, a war crime during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Directed by Lu Chuan, the film follows a group of Chinese soldiers and civilians in the city of Nanking during the Japanese invasion of 1937. It focuses on the struggle between the Chinese and Japanese forces, as well as the personal stories of the individuals involved. The film was acclaimed for its depiction of the horrors of war and its emotional intensity, and was selected as the Chinese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards.

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Leon Lai, Michelle Reis, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Charlie Yeung
Rated Not Rated

Fallen Angels is a 1995 Hong Kong film written and directed by Kar-Wai Wong. It follows the lives of two characters, played by Leon Lai and Michelle Reis, living in modern day Hong Kong. The film portrays the dark and seedy side of the city and its people. The characters struggle with feelings of loneliness and desperation, and their lives often intersect with various criminal activities. The film features an experimental narrative style, with dream-like scenes and non-linear editing. It is widely acclaimed as one of the best films of the 1990s.

From Directors: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook, starring Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer
Rated G

Mulan (1998) is an animated Disney film directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook. The plot follows Mulan, a Chinese girl who disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father's place in the Imperial Chinese Army. With her dragon, Mushu, by her side, Mulan battles to protect her family and her country from the invading Huns. Along the way, she discovers her true identity and strength, winning the respect of the Emperor, her family, and her country.

From Lixin Fan, starring Changhua Zhang, Yang Zhang, Suqin Chen, Qin Zhang
Rated Not Rated

Last Train Home is a 2009 documentary film by director Lixin Fan that follows the story of a Chinese family over the course of several years. The family consists of Zhang Changhua and Chen Suqin, factory workers from rural Sichuan who left home sixteen years ago in search of work and a better life in the big city of Guangzhou. Each year they return home for the Chinese New Year, which is an arduous two-day journey by train. The film explores the struggles of the couple, both economically and emotionally, as the strain of working long hours and the alienation of being away from home has had profound effects on their relationship with their children. Through this story, filmmaker Lixin Fan captures the wider implications of China's economic and social transformation over the last two decades.

From Ronny Yu, starring Jet Li, Li Sun, Yong Dong, Yun Qu
Rated PG-13

Fearless is a 2006 martial arts action film starring Jet Li and directed by Ronny Yu. The film tells the story of Huo Yuanjia, a martial arts master in the early 1900s, who finds himself haunted by a tragic past. After a series of tournaments and personal struggles, Huo is ultimately able to overcome his inner demons and inspire a nation. The film showcases Li's impressive martial arts skills and is considered one of the greatest films in the genre. It was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe, and was a major box office success.

From Directors: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson, starring Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman
Rated PG

Kung Fu Panda is an animated action-comedy film from 2008 directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson. The movie follows the adventures of Po, a clumsy panda who dreams of being a master of kung fu. After a series of unlikely events, Po is chosen as the legendary Dragon Warrior and must team up with the Furious Five – a group of martial arts masters – to defend the Valley of Peace from the evil snow leopard Tai Lung. Through body and soul, Po learns the ways of kung fu and ultimately uses his newfound mastery of the martial arts to protect the people of the valley and prove that he is the true Dragon Warrior.

From Yang Zhang, starring Jiayi Du, Zheng Fang, Bing He, Wu Jiang
Rated PG-13

Shower is a 1999 drama film directed by Yang Zhang. The film follows the life of an elderly Chinese father, Lao Zhao, and his two adult sons, Erming and Da Ming, as they struggle to adjust to the changing times and their roles in the changing Chinese society. The film opens with Lao Zhao as he is preparing to close his traditional Chinese bathhouse, which he has been running for over 30 years. As his sons struggle to adjust to the transition of their father’s business, and their own changing roles in society, Lao Zhao discovers the hardships and realities of a society that is ever-changing and rapidly adapting to modernity. He must learn to accept his two sons’ lives and choices, and make decisions for himself that will honor the traditions of the past and accommodate the changes of the present. The film is a powerful and touching story of family and tradition, as Lao Zhao discovers the true meaning of family, loyalty, and understanding in a rapidly changing world.

From Ang Lee, starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Tang Wei, Joan Chen, Leehom Wang
Rated NC-17

Lust, Caution is a 2007 spy thriller written, directed, and produced by Ang Lee. Set in World War II-era Shanghai, the film tells the story of Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei), a student who is recruited by a group of Chinese dissidents to assassinate Mr. Yee (Tony Leung Chiu Wai). The group is led by Kuang Yu Min (Wang Leehom) who has a personal vendetta against Yee. As they plan the assassination, Chia Chi and Yee develop an intense and passionate relationship, blurring the lines between love and lust. The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and identity as Chia Chi navigates her feelings for Yee and her commitment to the revolutionary cause. In the end, she is forced to make a difficult choice between love and justice.

From Yimou Zhang, starring Ziyi Zhang, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Dandan Song
Rated PG-13

House of Flying Daggers is a 2004 Chinese wuxia romantic drama film directed by Yimou Zhang. Set during the Tang Dynasty in China, two police officers, Leo (Andy Lau) and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), are tasked with infiltrating a secret organization known as the House of Flying Daggers. During their mission, they discover a blind courtesan, Mei (Ziyi Zhang), who is believed to have ties with the organization. Leo and Jin enlist Mei to help them in their mission, but their loyalties are soon tested as their relationship with Mei deepens. The trio embarks on an epic journey filled with action, romance and betrayal as they fight for survival and a chance at redemption.

From Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen, Xiaoming Huang, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Lynn Xiong
Rated R

Ip Man 2 is a 2010 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Wilson Yip and starring Donnie Yen as the legendary martial artist Ip Man. The film is a sequel to the 2008 film Ip Man and based on the life of the Wing Chun martial artist Yip Man. The story follows Ip Man as he attempts to establish a martial arts school in post-war Hong Kong. He is challenged by a British-Chinese martial artist, played by Darren Shahlavi, who believes that Chinese martial arts are inferior to those of the West. Along the way, Ip Man must battle personal and professional problems, including his deteriorating health and the corruption present in the martial arts community. Ip Man also works to gain acceptance from the general public, who are distrustful of him due to his martial arts affiliation. The film is filled with intense martial arts action sequences, showcasing Donnie Yen's masterful Wing Chun forms. The film also shows the tumultuous relationship between Ip Man and his wife, played by Lynn Hung. Ip Man 2 is a poignant and powerful portrayal of a legendary martial artist, and his struggles to maintain his martial arts honor in the face of mounting adversity.

From Yung Chang, starring Jerry Bo Yu Chen, Campbell Ping He, Cindy Shui Yu
Rated Not Rated

Up the Yangtze is a documentary film by Yung Chang about the transformation of China's Yangtze River Valley, and the people who live along its banks. The film follows the journey of a family as they move away from their home as the area is flooded due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. The film focuses on the effect this environmental and social upheaval has on the people of the valley, as they struggle to adapt to their new lives. Through the story of the family, the film examines the environmental, emotional, and economic cost of progress in China.

From John Curran, starring Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Catherine An
Rated PG-13

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Ziyi Zhang, Faye Wong, Gong Li
Rated R

From Bruce Beresford, starring Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Penne Hackforth-Jones
Rated PG

From John Woo, starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Fengyi Zhang, Chang Chen
Rated R