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Red Sorghum Trivia Quiz

China's greatest film director Zhang Yimou first entered the directorial arena with the film 'Red Sorghum' in 1987. In many people's opinion (including myself) this film remains his masterpiece. Please enjoy these questions about the film...

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
64,390

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
235

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. As with many of Zhang's films, who plays the female lead in 'Red Sorghum'? Hint

Maggie Cheung

Michelle Yeoh

Zhang Ziyi

Li Gong

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Question 2 of 10

2. Jiang Wen plays which character in the film? Hint

My Grandpa

Uncle Luohan

Father

Sanpao

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Question 3 of 10

3. 'Red Sorghum' was based on the book 'Hong Gaoliang' by which author? Hint

Guo Moruo

Lao She

Mo Yan

Lu Xun

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Question 4 of 10

4. At the beginning of the film, My Grandma is being married off to a man named Big Head Li. Soon she finds that Li is suffering from what ailment? Hint

Leprosy

Tuberculosis

Bubonic plague

Influenza

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Question 5 of 10

5. Neither Grandpa's or Grandma's names are mentioned in the film, but Grandma does take a nickname based on wordplay. What is this nickname? Hint

Eight

Nine

Seven

Six

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Question 6 of 10

6. At one point during the beginning of the film, Grandma is kidnapped by a local thug. What is this ruffian's name? Hint

Hailei

Luohan

Sanpao

Ruoran

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Question 7 of 10

7. What locative name is the wine given? Hint

18-mile road wine

Chen village wine

Twin mountain wine

Ghost bridge wine

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the secret ingredient in the sorghum wine that helps make it famous? Hint

Urine

Blood

Gold dust

Formaldehyde

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Question 9 of 10

9. The last quarter of the film revolves around the invasion of what people in China, and more specifically the Qingshakou area where Grandma and Grandpa reside? Hint

Japanese

Russians

Mongols

Huns

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Japanese order the local butchers to flay which two characters? Hint

Two unknown villagers

Luohan and Grandpa

Sanpao and Luohan

Grandpa and Sanpao

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. As with many of Zhang's films, who plays the female lead in 'Red Sorghum'?

Answer: Li Gong

She plays 'My Grandma' in the film. Li Gong, or Gong Li (Li is her surname) appears in many of Zhang's greatest films, including: 'Raise the Red Lantern', 'To Live' and 'The Story of Qiu Ju'. All are worth a look.

2. Jiang Wen plays which character in the film?

Answer: My Grandpa

Jiang Wen is also an accomplished Chinese director. His first film appearance was in Hibiscus Town (Fu Rong Zhen) in 1984...another worthy Chinese movie!

3. 'Red Sorghum' was based on the book 'Hong Gaoliang' by which author?

Answer: Mo Yan

It's a fantastic read in either Chinese or English translation. Temporally speaking, the book is non-linear...which provides for a very adventurous read!

4. At the beginning of the film, My Grandma is being married off to a man named Big Head Li. Soon she finds that Li is suffering from what ailment?

Answer: Leprosy

Grandma wants to return back to her family, but her father disallows it. Soon Li dies, however, and thus she is free from having to care for him. She inherits his property and his wine-making business.

5. Neither Grandpa's or Grandma's names are mentioned in the film, but Grandma does take a nickname based on wordplay. What is this nickname?

Answer: Nine

This word nine is pronounced 'jiu' in Mandarin, as is the word for wine...thus making Grandma 'homonymous' with the wine that is produced at her distillary. She chooses the name 'Jiu'er' because she was the ninth child and was born on the ninth day of the ninth month. The 'jiu' theme is carried throughout the film.

6. At one point during the beginning of the film, Grandma is kidnapped by a local thug. What is this ruffian's name?

Answer: Sanpao

Sanpao is a local warlord who threatens Grandma under ransom. Grandpa bravely confronts Sanpao but fails to retrieve Grandma...she ends up being returned after Luohan Da Ge pays the ransom.

7. What locative name is the wine given?

Answer: 18-mile road wine

18-mile road wine (shi ba li lu jiu)...another reference to 9, a multiple of 2!

8. What is the secret ingredient in the sorghum wine that helps make it famous?

Answer: Urine

Grandpa urinates in the wine at one point in order to irritate Grandma and the rest of the winemakers, but we later find out that urine is the secret ingredient to help the wine ferment correctly! I know...yuck!

9. The last quarter of the film revolves around the invasion of what people in China, and more specifically the Qingshakou area where Grandma and Grandpa reside?

Answer: Japanese

Thus we know that the film is set in the 1920s-30s...during the 2nd Sino-Japanese war.

10. The Japanese order the local butchers to flay which two characters?

Answer: Sanpao and Luohan

The butcher refuses to flay Sanpao, instead killing him and suffering machine gun bullets from the Japanese. The assistant butcher is then forced to flay Luohan, which he does...later he is shown laughing in his madness. This act by the Japanese sets up the final revenge scene wherein Grandpa and the other winemakers attack a Japanese truck. Please see the film yourself to catch the ending...it is fantastic...wonderful cinematography!

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rj211 before going online.
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