Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker

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Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker ★★½ Paoda Shuang Deng 1993 (R)

Set in northern China before the 1911 revolution, this gorgeous saga focuses on the fortunes of the Cai family. The family, whose wealth depends on their fireworks business, has no male heirs and is headed by daughter Chun Zhi (Jing). To assume this lofty position, Chun Zhi must dress like a man and is forbidden to marry but that doesn't stop her from falling in love with bold young travelling artist Nie Bao (Gang). The household is thrown into a frenzy by their affair and it's decided that all Chun Zhi's potential suitors must undergo a firecracker ritual in order to win her hand. Mandarin Chinese with subtitles. 111m/C VHS, DVD . HK CH Ning Jing, Wu Gang, Zhao Xiaorui, Gai Yang; D: He Ping; W: Da Ying; C: Yang Lun.