In the first episode of what turned into a mini Zhang Yimou film festival, we discuss the beautiful period drama Raise The Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂). We get into its themes of oppressive patriarchy, gorgeous cinematography, common enemies, impactful silences, unintentionally perpetuating your own subjugation, and y’know, pretty lanterns and stuff.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

Raise the Red Lantern is a 1991 period drama film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li. It is an adaptation by Ni Zhen of the 1990 novella Raise the Red Lantern (originally Wives and Concubines) by Su Tong. A Chinese-Hong Kong co-production, the film was later adapted into a ballet of the same title by the National Ballet of China, also directed by Zhang. Set during the Warlord Era in the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man. It was the fourth of nine collaborations between Zhang and Gong. The film was shot in the Qiao Family Compound near the ancient city of Pingyao, in Shanxi Province.

Indy talks about a 90s hip-hop classic: E. 1999 Eternal by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Samantha ends an era with the docuseries Taylor Swift: The End of an Era, then we preview next week’s big watch, the Zhang Yimou period drama Raise the Red Lantern.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

1. 1999 Eternal is the second album by American hip-hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, released July 25, 1995, on Ruthless Records. The album was released four months after the death of gangsta rapper Eazy-E, the group's mentor and the executive producer of the album. Both the album and single "Tha Crossroads" are dedicated to him. Following up on the surprise success of their breakthrough single "Thuggish Ruggish Bone", it became a popular album and received positive reviews from music critics, earning praise for the group's melodic rapping style. The album title is a portmanteau of Cleveland's eastside neighborhood centering on East 99th Street and St. Clair Avenue where the group is based and the then-future year 1999.

Taylor Swift: The End of an Era is a 2025 American documentary miniseries about the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's sixth concert tour, the Eras Tour (2023–2024), directed by filmmakers Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce. The series consists of six episodes that follow the lives of Swift and her crew during the tour. It began streaming on Disney+ on December 12, 2025.

Raise the Red Lantern is a 1991 period drama film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li. It is an adaptation by Ni Zhen of the 1990 novella Raise the Red Lantern (originally Wives and Concubines) by Su Tong. A Chinese-Hong Kong co-production, the film was later adapted into a ballet of the same title by the National Ballet of China, also directed by Zhang. Set during the Warlord Era in the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man. It was the fourth of nine collaborations between Zhang and Gong.

We are recapping the best of the year by going over our favourite movies, books, music, and TV shows of 2025! We recommend KPop Demon Hunters, Sinners, Wicked, work by Bria Salmena, Clipse, Ken Pomeroy, Taylor Swift, Ocean Vuong, and more!