It has been 40 years since China adopted the reform and opening-up policy. Over the past decades, Chinese films have grown from minor players into massive crowd-pullers.
In the 1990s, China experienced a golden period for the movie industry as the films genres expanded.
And one of the highlights were the Hong Kong martial art movies, which combined elements from action films with Chinese storytelling, aesthetic traditions and filmmaking techniques to create a culturally distinctive form that has a wide transcultural appeal.
Top stars such as Brigitte Lin, Stephen Chow, Joey Wong reached the peak in their careers. Also, Chinese "Fifth Generation Director", including Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, established their position in the industry with classic masterpieces.
Meanwhile, Chinese drama film Farewell My Concubine starring Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi and Gong Li won the Palme d'Or, one of the top movie awards, at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.
Here we showcase 10 movies from 1989 to 1998 to commemorate the 40-year journey of China's film industry.
Related
40 best Chinese films in past four decades (1979-1988)
11. The Birth of New China
Release year: 1989
Genre: History
Director: Li Qiankuan/Xiao Guiyun
Cast: Gu Yue, Sun Feihu
12. Jiao Yulu
Release year: 1990
Genre: Biopic
Director: Wang Jixing
Cast: Li Xuejian/Li Rentang
13. A Decisive Battle- Huai Hai Campaign
Release year: 1991
Genre: War
Director: Li Jun
Cast: Gu Yue/Su Lin
14. The Story of Qiu-Ju
Release year: 1992
Genre: Drama
Director: Zhang Yimou
Cast: Gong Li/Liu Peiqi
15. Farewell My Concubine
Release year: 1993
Genre: Drama and romance
Director: Chen Kaige
Cast: Leslie Cheung/Zhang Fengyi/Gong Li
16. Ashes of Time
Release year: 1994
Genre: Action and romance
Director: Wong Kar-wai
Cast: Leslie Cheung/Maggie Cheung/Brigitte Lin
17. A Chinese Odyssey Part Two - Cinderella
Release year: 1995
Genre: Comedy, adventure and romance
Director: Jeffrey Lau
Cast: Stephen Chow/Athena Chu
18. A Tale of Sacred Mountain
Release year: 1996
Genre: War, history and romance
Director: Feng Xiaoning
Cast: Ning Jing/Shao Bing
19. The Dream Factory
Release year: 1997
Genre: Comedy
Director: Feng Xiaogang
Cast: Ge You/Liu Bei
20. Not One Less
Release year: 1998
Genre: Comedy
Director: Zhang Yimou
Cast: Wei Minzhi/Zhang Huike
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