The Chinese Movie Industry is one of the biggest and most successful industries. There have been many Chinese films that have won several prestigious awards. And the reason behind their success is they make modern films, but always have an essence of raw and old China in them. Let's see some countryside-based Chinese films that depict the truest Chinese culture and tradition.
1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger is a Chinese film released in 2000. Ang Lee directed the movie, and Hui-Ling Wang and James Schamus wrote the storyline for the movie. The movie starred Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang, Chang Chen, Sihung Lung, etc. The film's story revolves around a Chinese warrior named Master Li who asks his love lady to pass on his sword to Sir Te. But amidst all this, the sword gets stolen. And Master Li went on a journey to find the culprit who stole the sword.
2. To Live
To Live is a Chinese-origin film released in 1994. Yimou Zhang directed the movie, and Wei Lu and Hua Yu wrote the storyline for the movie. Fu-Sheng Chiu, Funhong Kow, and Christophe Tseng produced the movie, and it starred You Ge, Gong Li, Ben Niu, Wu Jiang, Deng Fei, Tao Guo, etc. The film gives an insightful view of the history of China. The storyline revolves around Fugui and Jiazhen. They lose their generational fortune in gambling. And then, they struggle to survive in the revolving nation in the 1970s. The film depicts their difficult life journey while they try hard to adapt to the new cultural changes in China.
3. Yellow Earth
Yellow Earth is a Chinese movie released in 1984. Chen Kaige directed the movie, and Ziliang Zhang wrote the storyline for the movie. The film starred Xueqi Wang, Bai Xue, Quiang Liu, etc. The movie’s storyline revolves around the period when the Chinese Communist Party and Kuomintang came together and fought against the Japanese army. Wang Xueqi, a communist soldier, goes on a mission to find the spirited folk songs from the people. But, when he meets the peasants and fishermen he realizes they were not singing songs of joy. But, the music shows their hardships and miserable condition. After he returns, his speech of freedom profoundly impacts a little girl who wants to follow in his footsteps.
4. The Spring River Flows East
The Spring River Flows East is a Japanese film released in 1947. Chusheng Cai and Junli Zheng directed the movie, and the film starred Yang Bai, Jin Tao, Yinyan Wu, Yunzhu Shanggauan, etc. The movie’s story revolves around a family and shows their life during the second Sino-Japanese war. The film portrays the culture and lifestyle of the people during those times. And put forward some serious social issues at that time.
5. Shower
The shower is a Chinese-origin film released in 1999. Yang Zhang directed the movie, and Fendon Liu and Xin Huo wrote the storyline for the movie. The film starred Jiyayi Du, Zheng Fang, Bing He, Wu Jiang, Ding Li, and Xu Zhu. The film's storyline revolves around a young and wealthy businessman who is very proud of his working-class background. And the guy is full of attitude. But soon, his icy attitude came to an end when he was forced to reconcile with his father and mentally challenged brother. The father-son duo together runs a public bathhouse.
6. Beijing Bicycle
Beijing Bicycle is a Chinese movie released in 2001. Xiaoshuai Wang directed the film, and Peggy Chaio, Hsiao Ming Hsu, and Danian Tang wrote the storyline for the film. The movie starred Lin Cui, Bin Li, Xun Zhou, Yuanyuan Gao, etc. The film's storyline revolves around a young seventeen-year-old guy who came to Beijing from the countryside. He owns a cycle and works as a courier guy. But his bicycle got stolen. And later, he found the bicycle with a schoolboy who was his age.
7. Return To Dust
Return To Dust is a Chinese-origin film released in 2022. Ruijin Li wrote and directed the film. The movie starred Renlin Wu, Hai-Qing, Guangrui Yang, Dengping Zhao, Cailan Wang, etc. The film’s storyline revolves around Ma and Cao. The duo was forced into an arranged marriage by their families. They lived in denial for some time, but later they concluded that they should at least try to work out the marriage. The film is based on countryside China and beautifully portrays the raw and unfiltered Chinese traditions and culture.
8. The Nightingale
The Nightingale is a Chinese-origin film released in 2013. Philippe Muyl wrote and directed the movie. The movie starred Baotian Li, Xiaoran Li, Hao Qin, Xinyi Yang, Rui Ying Li, Huan Huan Wei, Jie Liu, Jian Lan Shi, etc. The film's storyline revolves around an old man and his sweet little granddaughter who travels together throughout China with a bird in a cage.
9. The World
The World is a Chinese film released in 2004. Jia Zhangke wrote and directed the movie. Hengameh Panahi, Takio Yoshida, and Chow Keung produced the movie. And the film starred Zhao Tao and Cheng Taishen. The film’s storyline revolves around the impact of urbanization and globalization on traditions and old culture.
10. Last Train Home
Last Train Home is a Chinese-origin movie released in 2009. The film's storyline revolves around a couple who are on their journey home to celebrate Chinese New Year with their children and family. Along with the couple, 130 million migrant workers are traveling to meet their families. The movie depicts the life of ordinary labor-class people in the country knowns as a world superpower.
