Adaptations from Classic Literature

Modern ‘Red Chamber Dream’

Dir/Scr: Griffin Yue Feng
Orig Story: Cao Xueqin’s Dream of the Red Chamber
Prod Co: Great Wall
Cast: Li Lihua, Yan Jun, Ouyang Shafei, Luo Lan, Ping Fan
1952 | B&W | DCP | Mandarin | Chinese Subtitles | 118min

Modern ‘Red Chamber Dream’ is a bold adaptation of the Chinese literary classic Dream of the Red Chamber, re-creating the story against the turbulent backdrop of 1940s China. As the Nationalist government teeters on the brink of collapse, the film centres on a doomed love triangle involving the heir to the powerful Jia family and his two cousins. Griffin Yue Feng’s adaptation condenses the sprawling narrative of the original classic while preserving its major characters and emotional core.

Lavishly produced by Great Wall, the film spares no expense in bringing the opulent world of the Jia family to life. Extravagant sets immerse viewers in the luxurious yet decaying world of the upper class of the era. Meticulously crafted costumes—ranging from intricately detailed qipaos to elegant Western dresses—make some of the scenes as spectacular as on-screen fashion shows. The star-studded cast of this million-dollar production, drawn from Great Wall’s most popular actors and actresses, delivers performances that add depth to this tale of passion and downfall. Beneath the film’s visual splendour lies a subtle commentary on China’s historical transition, as the film concludes with the Jia family members fleeing for their lives, leaving the once-oppressed servants to greet the new regime.

Considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the works in the ‘Appreciation of Chinese Literary Classics Series’. A unique and modernised take on the novel, this film is suitable for students studying Chinese Literature.

Courtesy of Sil-Metropole Organisation Limited

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