Raise the Red Lantern (Zhang Yimou, 1991)

I highly recommend this film, which is probably the least Western-oriented among Chinese films that circulate here. This is one of the first Zhang's films, that include the popular "Hero" and "Daggers", but it is very different from them. "Lantern" is very neatly, minimalistically shot, with only a few characters and superb acting from all participants. Comparing this film to "Concubine...", the latter is so full of plots and sideplots, one cannot possibly keep track of all these large and small statements the director is trying to make... But the "Lantern" is very focused and yet even though its subject matter is quite "exotic", it is easy to relate to.