Summer Palace

“Lou Ye’s sprawling epic Summer Palace follows Yu Hong (Lei Hao), a rebellious young woman from a small Chinese town transplanted to a politically charged Beijing University in the late 1980s. The country’s social turmoil is witnessed through its disaffected youth, whose newfound sexuality and activism culminate in violent suppression. Spanning nearly 20 years of modern Chinese history, Summer Palace projects the country’s struggle for definition through the eyes and heart of a young woman ill-equipped to handle it. While drifting between the arms of two men, her love fervent for both, Yu Hong’s existential crisis mirrors that of her nation.” (Palm Pictures)

Print Source: Palm Pictures / Rights: Wild Bunch

Film Details

Year: 2006

Running time: 140min

Format: 35mm

Director: Lou Ye

Films and schedules may be subject to change.

Modern Cinema’s Founding Supporters are Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein. Generous support is provided by Nion McEvoy and the Susan Wildberg Morgenstein Fund.