Red Sorghum DVD

Advantages: Beautifully filmed, a good portrayal of China in the 1920s
Disadvantages: None

...Introduction One of the director of this film, Zhang Yimou, is best known in the West as the director of Hero and House of Flying Daggers. Ju Dou is one of his earlier films, which along with Raise the Red Lantern gained some critical acclaim in the West, but really didn't get the coverage it deserved - quite likely because it was made not long after the Tiananmen Square massacre and things Chinese were not popular in the West. However, whatever your feelings about China, this is a truly beautiful film with excellent actors and an original storyline. It is not as commercial as Hero or House of Flying Daggers, being less action-packed, but even so, it speaks volumes. The directors Zhang Yimou began to make a name for himself in the 1980s, with films such as Raise the Red Lantern and Red Sorghum, generally based in the countryside... Read review

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Advantages: Bittersweet comedy
Disadvantages: Not completely PC

...such as Red Sorghum, Raise the Red Lantern, Shanghai Triad, Hero and House of Flying Daggers. At least that is the case in the west. In China, he is obviously far better known. Many of his previous films have been released in the UK and can be easily obtained. His earlier films tend to be less action-packed - more a portrayal of society at different periods of time. Well worth investigating further. The actors Although they have probably not been heard of outside China, Zhao Benshan (who plays Zhao) and Li Xuejian (who plays Li) are very well-known in China and frequently star in films and comedies. Zhao Benshan played roles in The Assassin and Keep Cool, films which are available in the UK; Li Xuejian has played roles in Shanghai Triad, Keep Cool, The Assassin and The Blue Kite, again which are available in the UK - certainly at the time... Read review

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