Wives and Concubines, a film by Zhang Yimou (China, 1991, 125 min., VOST)In central China, during the era of the warlords (1916-1928). Songlian, a young woman of 19, will be the fourth wife of the wealthy Master Chen. On her arrival at the estate, a palace enclosed by high walls, she is introduced to the master’s other wives. This is the beginning of a difficult apprenticeship…Refined aesthetics, sumptuous reconstruction, a bewitchingly beautiful actress, all at the service of a painful and sensitive drama. The pinnacle of Zhang Yimou’s international career. Silver Lion at Venice. With Gong Li.