Hu Mei

Tony Rayns presents the work of the 'Fifth Generation' and other innovative filmmakers who emerged during the 1980s in China.

In 500 B.C., during Chinas famed 'Spring and Autumn Period', Kong Ze (Confucius), a commoner reverred for his outstanding wisdom, is made Minister of Law in the ancient Kingdom of Lu. Under his inspired leadership, Lu ascends to new heights but becomes a target of conquest for the warlike nation of Qi. Threatened with annihilation by their powerful neighbour, a desperate people turn to their greatest teacher to lead their most powerful army. When Confucius delivers a stunning victory against all odds, a jealous aristocracy sets out to destroy him, but they should never under-estimate a remarkable man whose wisdom is more powerful than the sword.

In 500 B.C., during Chinas famed 'Spring and Autumn Period', Kong Ze (Confucius), a commoner reverred for his outstanding wisdom, is made Minister of Law in the ancient Kingdom of Lu. Under his inspired leadership, Lu ascends to new heights but becomes a target of conquest for the warlike nation of Qi. Threatened with annihilation by their powerful neighbour, a desperate people turn to their greatest teacher to lead their most powerful army. When Confucius delivers a stunning victory against all odds, a jealous aristocracy sets out to destroy him, but they should never under-estimate a remarkable man whose wisdom is more powerful than the sword.

The heir to the throne flees to South China and is pursued by troops of a usurper as well as bandits and his own followers and supporters.

The stories of a group of women training to become military nurses.

1991 film

An elderly veteran of WWII living in peaceful retirement with his son and the latter's family becomes increasingly lost in wartime memories and reminiscences, much to his son's consternation. One day, an item the old man reads in a magazine prompts him to go off unannounced on a war-related quest. The son goes searching for his father, and in doing so reaches a greater understanding of both the old man and the generation he represents.

During the dates of celebrating the Emperor's 80th birthday, an opera troupe from southern China was invited to come to Beijing to perform for the Emperor. Afterwards, the opera troupe was granted to stay in Beijing and became what we had known as 'Peking Opera' today.

Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu get to know Xue Baochai at the Jia Mansion. The three young people experience all kinds of human affections in the world, and witness a series of open and secret struggles of the rise and fall of a huge family.

1988 film

Vienna in 1931. Fanny, the daughter of a Vienna police trainer, meets the Chinese police officer Ma Yunlong, who is completing specialist training in Vienna. The shy acquaintance quickly turns into great love. Against the will of her parents, Fanny travels to China on her 18th birthday to marry Yunlong. At his side, Fanny begins a new life in the Middle Kingdom, which is characterized by deprivation and painful turns due to the multiple political upheavals.