Late-Stage Capitalism

Two early films from the Chinese master, Jia Zhang-Ke:

UNKNOWN PLEASURES (2002) (A-minus) - Here we see the flowering of Jia's vision -- aimless young adults coping with a seismic shift from old-school communism to the capitalism of the future. Here is a concise plot summation from the Onion AV Club (no relation):

Set in the small provincial city of Datong, the film centers on Zhao Wei Wei and Wu Qiong, jobless best friends who spend their limitless free time hanging around a pool hall, tooling around the city on mopeds, and coveting the American dollars that will get them out of their rut. Still living at home with his mother, who is lost to the Falun Gong religious cult, Zhao joins the long line of young men looking to volunteer for military service, but his blood tests reveal hepatitis. Meanwhile, Wu pursues the forbiddingly beautiful Qiao Qiao (Zhao Tao), a traveling dancer shilling for Mongolian King Liquor, a company run by a possessive gangster (Zhou Qing Feng) who keeps her on a tight leash and sics his goons on each of her suitors. As their situation grows more hopeless, the two friends hatch a comically misconceived robbery scheme to scrape up some quick money.

While it isn't very sexual, it is sensual, especially during a pivotal club scene. Tao Zhao emerges as a unique talent who would grow into Jia's collaborator and, eventually, wife.

PLATFORM (2000) (B+) - Here's IMDb again with the helpful summary:

Set in Fenyang, Shanxi Province, the film focuses on a group of amateur theater troupe performers whose fate mirrors that of the general population in China as massive socio-economic changes sweep across the mainland. The film commences in 1979 with the troupe performing numbers idolizing Mao Zedong, ending in the '80s when the shows reflect the strong Western influences pervading China, covering a decade in which China saw tremendous changes.

Jia has a steady hand with the camera, showing patience with scenes, as actors come and go through shots, particularly in a scene between Tao Zhao and her would-be beau. The sweep of history is subtle, reflected obtusely through hairstyles and clothes. This new generation struggles with love and art, and the interplay can be heartbreaking, especially during a scene in which that future rolls in on the rails, bringing hope from the outside world, as if the Beatles are onboard it. (See the second video below.)

BONUS TRACK
The "Platform" trailer and a key scene: