Compare 'Raise the Red Lantern' with the action-type movie of Hollywood.

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Victor Lee

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English Essay

Question/Topic:

Compare ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ with the action-type movie of Hollywood.

Movies:

  1. Raise the Red Lantern
  2. Demolition Man

The movie ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ is a Chinese film depicting the life of a young woman in 1920’s China who because of poverty is forced to become a concubine. This movie is exceedingly different from the typical Hollywood action film, such as Demolition Man. It contrasts in nearly every possible way, from the opening scene, camera shots, music, colour/sets, power struggles, acts of vengeance, deceit and betrayal, and the ending. All these factors contribute to this brilliantly directed film by Zhang Yimou.

The opening scene in ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ begins with a close-up shot of Songlian’s (the young woman) face. There is little emotion shown except for one tear that trickles down her face, as on off-camera voice talks about ‘life being so unpredictable’. Yimou intentionally prolongs this shot to create emphasis, instead of using explosions, punch-ups and a hostage scene as in ‘Demolition Man’.

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The camera shots in both movies are similar, each zooming into one’s face to express the character’s emotions articulately. However, to show new areas, Hollywood cameras take the first person view to show what the scene looks like from the character’s point of view, such as when John Spartan (the hero) is led to the cryo-prison. In ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ there are only two main camera shots – the close-up of Songlian’s face and the overhead shot of the central enclosed courtyard, which infers that the concubines are trapped physically and spiritually.

Sound and music both play ...

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