Movie Monday: Red Cliff

I just found out about a new movie coming out on Friday: Red Cliff (2008). It is a Chinese movie by legendary director John Woo that came out last year in China and is now coming to us North Americans.

I don't know about you, but I do enjoy Chinese Epic movies. Just think of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers (2004), and Curse of the Golden Flower (2006). All had beautiful costumes, wonderful art direction and breathtaking cinematography.

Red Cliff is set in 208 C.E. and is based on the Battle of Red Cliffs and other events from the end of the Han Dynasty.

Zhang Fengyi as Cao Cao and Takeshi Kaneshiro as Zhuge Liang, Red Cliff (2008)

Less I be mistaken, costumes worn in China at the time were the traditional Hanfu. Now be careful not to mistake them with Kimono; to our modern, western eyes, they might look the same, but the fact is Kimono were derived from Hanfu.

Chiling Lin as Xiao Qiao,Red Cliff (2008)

Don't worry ladies, there are some women in the movie (Hanfu for us too!).