We are struck by the drums of classical Chinese music in the opening of Raise the Red Lantern, alongside the introduction of Songlian’s new life. However, we rarely hear any soundtrack or “background” music until the third wife sings. It is this silence that creates the eerie ambiance of Zhang Yimou’s Chinese Republic. That being said, this is a film that relies heavily on production design. There is one location that carries throughout the duration of the film, and minimal…

In every Céline Sciamma film the concept of identity is frequently challenged. Her writing focuses on the complexities of adolescence in a way that is so refreshing when translated on screen. Her dialogue has this very present and “real-time feel” whether they take place on the Southern Coast of Brittany hundreds of years ago or during the 21st century... and that also reflects in her directing and filmmaking.

When watching her work one doesn’t focus on the post-production elements like…