Raise the Red Lantern -Third mistress singing 2

i want to see this movie so bad before buying the dvd, does anyone know if any sundance or indie channel plays this?

i first saw this movie on IFC in like 2003

I think she represented "being alive". Most of the wives were two-faced and just conquered by their prison even the fourth wife was getting pretty petty but she fought to "stay alive". However part of her "being alive" was having affair, that was her downfall. I would like to read the book to see the full picture.

That's a very interesting viewpoint about her representing "being alive". I think you're right. Actually, I regard this as a horror film, albeit a very beautiful one. It's one of my all-time favourites. I must get the book!

A horror film? Yeah, I can see that, the colors, the angles, the sounds effect. What would be the "monster", one has to ask. I think it would be something small; easy to overlook like the little old lady who massaged their feet. No kidding on this one, the fourth wife practically goes angry when she doesnt get her turn. Also notice how the others have found ways to get around the massaging.

. It's the husband- the unseen, all-powerful jailer of 4 women. THAT is the monster! The old lady was creepy in her own way. Wife No. 4's treatment of the pathetic servant also has elements of horror. I'm not sure about your last sentence- "get around the massaging"- in what context?

I think the husband is a bit too suspected, of course he would be the monster. But look at what time period the story is taking place in. Is he also held captive too? Also I think the house was a monster, its huge, dead, and forbidden to the wifes, who were kept in beautiful stables with great furniture. The massaging is what prepared the women for sex for their husband. When he was with another wife, the others simply become jealous, detached or looked for love in other places.

Time period seems to be the 1920s-30s. Yes, good point about the compound being the monster- I hadn't thought of that. The husband was the jailer- and the fact that we never see him gives me the creeps. Apart from their ample meals and gorgeous clothes, these ladies seemed to be worse off than many peasant women. They are all tragic and I'd love to know what their lives were before they became Tai Tais.

I don't think the husband is a victim of chauvinism. He may be brought up to be one, but look at his technique in making them all jealous. The one he sleeps with gets the luxury of the night in every aspect. If he wasn't sadistic, he would've spoiled all of them and just slept with one of his choosing. It's all a psychological mechanism to get them all to become atrociously ambitious.

Yes, typical harem politics. The ones who bore sons would always be in favour- just like dear old serial monogamist, Henry VIII.