‘大紅燈籠高高掛’ [Raise The Red Lantern]
Why we chose this film
These past years we have witnessed the emergence of new movements which are challenging many of the systems and institutions we have been living in for hundreds of years.
When we have a closer look at these systems we can identify several camps roughly dividing us into the following groups.
The ones governing the system, the silent majority that accepts the status quo, the victims who suffer the most and the courageous few who fight for change.
In each of these groups, we can observe friction and fights.
The frustration and anger that should be directed at the governing group, are aimed at each other.
When we should come together and unite, we end up sabotaging necessary change.
Raise the Red Lantern depicts a group of women living under patriarchy and its misogynist rules in 1920s China.
While they share the same fate, they compete with and plot against each other in order to gain their master's attention.
A system of rewards and punishment keeps them in check.
It distracts them from the injustice they find themselves in.
To this day we can see how these systems of oppression and inequality, use the very same tools of distraction.
We end up chasing reward and competing for attention.
Where does that leave the change we are longing for?
Film Summary
China in the 1920's. After her father's death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, the lord of a powerful family. Fifty year old Chen has already three wives, each of them living in separate houses within the great castle. The competition between the wives is tough, as their master's attention carries power, status and privilege. Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend the night and a red lantern is lit in front of the house of his choice. And each wife schemes and plots to make sure it's hers.
