To Live (1994) - [CinemaScene] - 01of20

To Live or Lifetimes (Chinese: 活着; pinyin: huó zhe) is a Chinese film directed by Zhang Yimou in 1994, starring Ge You and Gong Li and produced by the Shanghai Film Studio and ERA International. It is based on the novel of the same name by Yu Hua. To Live was screened at the 1994 New York Film Festival before eventually receiving a limited release in the United States on November 18, 1994. The story begins some time in the 1940s. Xu Fugui (Ge You) is a local rich man's son and compulsive gambler, who loses his family property to a man named Long'er. His behaviour also causes his long-suffering wife Jiazhen (Gong Li) to leave him, along with their daughter, Fengxia and their unborn son, Youqing.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[matthewgist]

This is the best film of all time. It makes me bawl like a baby every time.

[Snuffomatica]

Such an amazing film. thanks for posting. Haven't seen for a while.

[flotteluft]

For me, that was the first film that REALLY earned the title "tragiccomedy"!

[clawpuss2]

I didn't think it was funny, they tried to ridicule him is all.

[Lars Møberg-Poulsen]

"Farewell my concubine"

[Lars Møberg-Poulsen]

Everything is put on its head. The professor who was supposed to deliver the child safely, is choked by eating the bun that was supposed to be his reward. Student is professor, reward is punishment, everything on its head. To me there is absolutely nothing funny about this scene. On the contrary it is the most tragic thing I have ever seen on screen. Furthermore, it made me understand why the Chinese government reacted the way it did in 89.

[paherpderp]

Just watched this class) :

[sirwut]

could anyone recommend me some movie like this?

[clawpuss2]

I absolutely loved this movie, its scope is amazingly wide, the performances are uniformly excellent, especially the hapless, resigned, long-suffering hero. My only problem with the film is the treatment of the professor, a comedy scene where he chokes on a bun...I did not find it amusing that a near-starving man is made into a figure of fun.

[youtubister]

Great film, such a shame the aspect ratio has been "squashed" here :(

[rprasannakumar]

Yes indeed its such a moving movie....

[rprasannakumar]

Fantastic movie .... Loved it ...