From the Fifth-Generation auteurs who reshaped global perceptions of Chinese film to contemporary auteurs dominating international festivals, these movies have left a lasting mark on world cinema.
A ‘Touch of Sin.’
Photograph courtesy of Xstream Pictures/Shanghai Film Group
Chinese cinema has long been a powerhouse of storytelling — blending sweeping historical epics, intimate human dramas, gravity-defying wuxia spectacles, and bold arthouse experimentation. From the Fifth-Generation auteurs who reshaped global perceptions of Chinese film to contemporary auteurs dominating international festivals, these movies have left a lasting mark on world cinema.
1. Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Directed by Chen Kaige
A sweeping historical drama set against 50 years of political upheaval, this Cannes Palme d’Or winner follows two Peking Opera performers whose personal and professional lives unravel amid China’s turbulent 20th century. Visually rich and emotionally devastating, it remains a landmark of Chinese cinema.
2. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Directed by Wong Kar-wai
Set in 1960s Hong Kong, this melancholic romance about two neighbors who suspect their spouses are having an affair is a masterclass in longing and restraint. Its lush cinematography and haunting score make it one of the most iconic love stories ever filmed.
3. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Directed by Zhang Yimou
A visually stunning tale of power, jealousy, and confinement, the film explores the life of a young woman who becomes a concubine in a wealthy household. Its meticulous use of color and symbolism cemented Zhang Yimou’s international acclaim.
4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Directed by Ang Lee
A global phenomenon that reintroduced wuxia to mainstream audiences worldwide, this martial arts epic combines breathtaking action with poetic storytelling. It won four Academy Awards and became one of the highest-grossing foreign-language films in the U.S.
5. Hero (2002)
Directed by Zhang Yimou
A visually dazzling martial arts epic starring Jet Li, Hero is known for its color-coded storytelling and operatic scale. The film reimagines an assassination attempt against China’s first emperor with layered perspectives and striking choreography.
6. To Live (1994)
Directed by Zhang Yimou
Spanning several decades, this poignant drama follows an ordinary family enduring the upheavals of the Chinese Civil War and the Cultural Revolution. Banned in China upon release, it remains one of the most moving portrayals of resilience in Chinese history.
7. A Touch of Sin (2013)
Directed by Jia Zhangke
Inspired by real-life incidents, this bold and unsettling anthology examines violence and inequality in contemporary China. Its raw social commentary and stylistic confidence made it a festival standout.
8. The Farewell (2019)
Directed by Lulu Wang
A cross-cultural family drama based on the director’s real-life experience, the film centers on a family who stages a fake wedding to say goodbye to their terminally ill grandmother. Both intimate and universal, it bridges Eastern and Western sensibilities.
9. Ash Is Purest White (2018)
Directed by Jia Zhangke
A sweeping crime drama and unconventional love story, the film traces two lovers over nearly two decades of rapid social change in China.
10. Infernal Affairs (2002)
Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak
This gripping crime thriller about a mole inside the police force (and a cop inside the triads) revitalized Hong Kong cinema and later inspired Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning remake The Departed.
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