Red Chinese lanterns Metal Ornament

Red Chinese lanterns. Copyright: Asia Images Group Raise the Red Lantern (simplified Chinese : 大红灯笼高高挂 ; traditional Chinese : 大紅燈籠高高掛 ; pinyin : Dà Hóng Dēnglóng Gāogāo Guà ) is a 1991 film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li . It is an adaption by Ni Zhen of the 1990 novel Wives and Concubines by Su Tong . The film was later adapted into an acclaimed ballet of the same title by the National Ballet of China , also directed by Zhang. Set in the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes one of the concubines of a wealthy man during the Warlord Era . It is noted for its opulent visuals and sumptuous use of colours. The film was shot in Qiao's Compound near the ancient city of Pingyao , in Shanxi Province . Although the screenplay was approved by Chinese censors , the final version of the film was banned in China for a period. Some film critics have interpreted the film as a veiled allegory against authoritarianism . This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.