To Live (活著) is the 1994 novel adaption by director Zhang Yimou. If you have yet to do so check out our review on his other great film, Raise the Red Lantern. Due to this films portrayal of various policies and campaigns of the Chinese Communist Party, To Live was banned in China, and Zhang Yimou also was banned from filmmaking for 2 years following. Once again, this did not stop Yimou's film from reaching success. To Live is the first Chinese film to have its foreign distribution rights pre-sold, was screened at the New York Film Festival and won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Similar to our latest review, Farewell My Concubine, both directors were part of the Fifth Generation film directors, who faced many issues with the release of their films.
Similar to many films created by Fifth Generation directors, To Live is based on a normal, everyday type family living in 1940's China. The family is made up of Xu Fugui (Ge You), his pregnant wife, Jiazhen, played by popular actress Gong Li, and their daughter. This spans decades and focuses on how certain times in Chinese history affects this family; The Chinese Civil War, The Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. It is such an epic tale with such an in depth storyline. It is a heartbreaking tale of a regular family trying to survive and finding reasons to live.
During the decades this films spans, the family encounters so many hardships. The way Director Yimou expressed these hardships makes it no surprise why this film was banned in China. Director Yimou does not shed positive light on many political issues this country has faced. Either way, this film has made a huge impact on Chinese cinema.
This really is a wonderful film, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart. This is an extremely emotional, and sad film that will easily bring tears to your eyes. I believe it is a wonderful viewpoint about hardships people faced in China during that time, but I also believe this film could be very hard to get through for some. It is a very, very well known film that is a must watch for anyone interested in Chinese cinema.
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What is your favorite Fifth Generation Film from China? Let us know in the comments below! If you liked this review, make sure to check out our other review on Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern.
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During the decades this films spans, the family encounters so many hardships. The way Director Yimou expressed these hardships makes it no surprise why this film was banned in China. Director Yimou does not shed positive light on many political issues this country has faced. Either way, this film has made a huge impact on Chinese cinema. 
This really is a wonderful film, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart. This is an extremely emotional, and sad film that will easily bring tears to your eyes. I believe it is a wonderful viewpoint about hardships people faced in China during that time, but I also believe this film could be very hard to get through for some. It is a very, very well known film that is a must watch for anyone interested in Chinese cinema.
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