There have been some truly incredible movies withGong Liover the years, as the Chinese-Singaporean actress is considered one of the best Chinese actors of all time. Starting her career while still in college, Gong Li was cast as the lead in the 1987 film,Red Sorghum, which was the directorial debut of legendary Chinese director, Zhang Yimou. After that, Gong Li frequently appeared in Yimou’s films, working with the director eight different times.
Despite being one of the most popular actors in China, Gong Li was hesitant to act in any Hollywood productions, finally making her English-language debut withMemoirs of a Geishain 2005. Just one year later, she was in the underratedMichael Mann film,Miami Vice, playing opposite Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. In 2020, she had a part in the live-action Disney remake of one oftheir best movies,Mulan. Even with her foray into Hollywood, Gong Li continues to perform mostly in Chinese-language films, with her last appearance being the 2020 film,Leap.
Gong Li as Lady Zhao
Gong Li stars as Lady Zhao in the 1998 film,The Emperor and the Assassin. The Chinese historical romance is primarily based on the assassination attempt of the King of Qin (Ying Zheng) in 227 BC. The film covers the career of Ying Zheng, revolving around three main incidents with the assassination attempt being one of the main focuses. It’s a beautiful film that won the Technical Grand Prize at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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Gong Li is mesmerizing inThe Emperor and the Assassin, imbuing Lady Zhao with a tender strength. As the concubine to the emperor and being sent on a dangerous mission, Lady Zhao must navigate the political landscape with grace and skill, and Gong Li does that incredibly well. Lady Zhao feels like a fully realized character, with a significant reason being Gong Li’s performance.
Temptress Moon
Cast
Temptress Moon, directed by Chen Kaige, is set in the 1920s and follows a wealthy family’s turbulent saga near Shanghai. As Ruyi is raised amid her family’s opium addiction, her brother-in-law Zhongliang’s illicit exploits in the city lead to a complex romance and ensuing conflict.
Released in 1996,Temptress Moonwas the second film to star Gong Li alongside Leslie Cheung, followingFarewell My Concubinejust three years prior. This romantic drama revolves around a daughter taking over as the head of the Pang clan following the death of her father. When her brother-in-law returns to her estate following her father’s death, the two of them begin a whirlwind romance that affects those around them. The film was an Official Selection at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.
Gong Li stars as Pang Ruyi, the main character of the film whose dad dies, and she is tasked with taking over. Her performance is stunning throughout, andher chemistry with Lesli Cheung as Yu Zhongliang, her brother-in-law, is spectacular, really highlighting the messy romance that begins to form between the two characters. Ruyi is a complex character, and Gong Li nails her performance.
Curse of the Golden Flower
Curse of the Golden Flower is a historical drama set during China’s Tang dynasty, directed by Zhang Yimou. The film explores the intricate power dynamics and family tensions within the imperial household, as the emperor’s control extends over his wife, a princess from a neighboring province, and their sons.
Curse of the Golden Flowerwas released in 2006 and was directed by Zhang Yimou, making it another collaboration between the director and Gong Li. This Wuxia historical epic was the most expensive Chinese film ever made at the time, focusing on the emperor of the Tang dynasty taking the princess of a neighboring province as his wife, and she goes on to bear him two sons. Secrets, betrayals, and power struggles highlight most of the conflict in the film, with some incredible action sequences featured throughout.
Following her foray into Hollywood,Curse of the Golden Flowerwas the first Chinese-language film released after that. Once again, Gong Li is mesmerizing in the film as Empress Phoenix. She is fantastic at playing these high-ranking characters in historical dramas and epics, and her performance inCurse of the Golden Floweris another showcase for her incredible talent. In fact,she won Best Actress at the 26th Hong Kong Film Awards for her performance.
Shanghai Triad
Shanghai Triad, directed by Zhang Yimou, follows young Shuisheng, who is sent to Shanghai in 1930 to serve Bijou, the mistress of the Tang Triad’s leader, Laoda. Amidst the power struggles, Shuisheng becomes entangled in the dangerous world of criminal rivalries and hidden adversaries.
Shanghai Triadwas released in 1995 and was supposed to be the last collaboration between Gong Li and Zhang Yimou after they decided to part ways both professionally and romantically. It wasn’t untilCurse of the Golden Flower11 years later that the two would collaborate once more.Shanghai Triadis a crime drama set in Shanghai in the 1930s. The movie follows Tang Shuisheng over the course of seven days as he begins to make sense of the criminal underworld.
Gong Li and Zhang Yimou’s professional partnership had blossomed into a relationship after first working together onRed Sorghum.
Gong Li turns out another great performance as Xiao Jinbao, a nightclub singer and mistress of the Triad Boss. Tang Shuisheng becomes enamored with Gong Li’s character throughout the film, as he is assigned to serve her.Xiao Jinbao is a messy character throughout the film, but Gong Li gives her so much depth, making her a complex woman caught up in the madness of the situation.
Memoirs Of A Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha is a film adaptation of Arthur Golden’s bestselling novel, directed by Rob Marshall. Set in 1920s Japan, it follows the life of a young girl named Chiyo who transitions into a renowned geisha called Sayuri. The story explores her struggles, relationships, and the intricate culture of geisha life. Starring Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, and Michelle Yeoh, the film delves into themes of beauty, sacrifice, and resilience.
Released in 2005,Memoirs of a Geishawas the first Hollywood production that Gong Li was cast in. The film is based on the novel of the same name by author, Arthur Golden. The story is about a young girl named Sayuri, who would go on to be one of the most famous geishas in Kyoto. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning three of them for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design.
Gong Li plays Hatsumomo in the film, a geisha and the main antagonist throughout. The casting of three non-Japanese actresses to play Japanese characters was controversial at the time, which included Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi. Still, Gong Li is incredible as Hatsumomo, giving her a hard edge that makes her such a great villain.Despite not being able to speak fluent English, Gong Li feels like a natural inMemoirs of a Geisha.
The Hand
The Hand, directed by Kar-Wai Wong, follows Zhang, a timid tailor’s assistant, who becomes captivated by his demanding client, Miss Hua. Their initial encounter leads to an intimate connection, deeply influencing their relationship and his work.
The Handis a slightly different entry into Gong Li’s filmography as it was originally a segment in the anthology film,Eros.The Handwas directed by Hong Kong legend, Wong Kar-wai and was eventually given an individual release in 2020, 16 years after it was inEros. The standalone release fleshed out the film more, making it longer in the process.The Handrevolves around a tailor’s assistant who begins falling for one of his clients.
The Handcame out in the same year that Gong Li worked with Wong Kar-wai on another film,2046.
Gong Li is incredible inThe Hand, fitting right in with Wong Kar-wai’s sensibilities as a director. She plays Miss Hua, a high-end sex worker who seduces Zhang, the tailor’s assistant, and the two begin to form a romantic relationship. Gong Li’s sophistication is on full display in the film, making her character a regal presence throughout, showing moments of vulnerability as the story progresses.
Coming Home
Coming Home, directed by Zhang Yimou, follows the story of Lu and Feng, a devoted couple separated when Lu is imprisoned during China’s Cultural Revolution. Upon his release, Lu returns home to discover that his wife, Feng, no longer remembers him, highlighting the enduring impact of political upheaval on personal lives.
Released in 2014,Coming Homeis one of the more recent films to star Gong Li, despite coming out a decade ago. It is once again a collaboration between Gong Li and director Zhang Yimou and is based on the novel,The Criminal of Lu Yanshiby the author Geling Yan.Coming Homeis a heart-wrenching movie about Lu Yanshi, a professor who was arrested and sent to a labor camp during the Cultural Revolution of the ’60s and ’70s. Upon returning home, Lu Yanshi finds his family in disarray.
It’s clear that Gong Li is incredibly comfortable working with Zhang Yimou, as she delivers a very strong performance inComing Homeas Feng Wanyu, wife to Lu Yanshi. She’s an emotionally taxing character andGong Li navigates her trauma and complexity with grace, giving one of the film’s most heartbreaking performances in the process.
The Story of Qiu Juwas an earlier film in Gong Li’s career but was already the fourth collaboration with Zhang Yimou. Released in 1992,The Story of Qiu Ju, as the name implies, tells the story of the titular village peasant woman who travels to a big city, dealing with bureaucrats in hopes of finding justice for her husband who was kicked in the groin by the village head. This comedy-drama was a hit at film festivals, winning the coveted Golden Lion at the 1992 Venice Film Festival.
Given the task of playing Qiu Ju,the entire movie rests on Gong Li’s shoulders, and she takes the burden in stride, delivering a knock-out performanceas the title character. During her travels, Qiu Ju begins to discover the wider world around her, as she attempts to navigate the complex Chinese legal system. It’s an emotionally satisfying performance that continued to show just how talented Gong Li was despite being early on in her career.
7Red Sorghum (1987)
Gong Li as Jiu’er
Red Sorghum, directed by Zhang Yimou, follows Jiu’er, who becomes the owner of a rural sorghum winery in China after her husband’s death. As she establishes a resilient community, they face challenges from Japanese invaders, symbolized by the regrowth of the sorghum fields.
Red Sorghumis the movie that kicked off Gong Li’s long and illustrious career. Released in 1987, it was her first role as well as the debut film of Zhang Yimou.Red Sorghumtells the story of a young woman working in a distillery for sorghum liquor. It was based on the first two parts of the novel of the same name by Mo Yan. Not only isRed Sorghumone of the most important films in Gong Li’s career, but it is also one of her strongest.
Narrated from the point of view of the protagonist’s grandson, Gong Li plays Jiu’er, or “My Grandma,” inRed Sorghum.Despite being her first film ever, it doesn’t feel like it, as Gong Li’s talent is already on full display,and her ability to make her characters emotionally vulnerable but also strong in the face of adversity is inspiring. It’s the perfect start to an incredible career.
Ju Dou
Ju Dou, directed by Zhang Yimou, is set in rural China and follows a woman married to the cruel owner of a dye mill. She conceives a son with her husband’s nephew, navigating familial and societal constraints while maintaining her son’s secret lineage. The film explores themes of love and tradition.
Ju Doutells the story of the titular young woman who is sold as a wife to Jinshan, a cruel and despicable cloth dyer who abuses her at every turn. Eventually, Ju Dou starts a sexual relationship with Jinshan’s adopted nephew, Yang Tianqing, whose affair gets increasingly tangled as the film progresses. The 1990 film was the second collaboration between director Zhang Yimou and Gong Li. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1991 Academy Awards.
It’s even more incredible that it was such an early career performance for Gong Li, as she commands every scene that she is in.
Gong Li is simply remarkable in Ju Dou,showing a level of vulnerability that gets to the heart of what makesJu Dousuch an amazing film. It’s even more incredible that it was such an early career performance, as Gong Li commands every scene that she is in. It’s a wonderfully tender performance that is up there with the best in her entire filmography.
