Australia’s Imprint Films is proudly rolling out the eight-film box set, Collaborations: The Cinema Of Zhang Yimou And Gong Li on September 15. The official trailer for the box set has been out for a while but you’re welcome to check it out above, as it’s worthy sampling of what’s in store for fans of the two stalwarts.
Both Yimou and Li have proven to be transformative and impactful in their respective careers, especially the former whose works have not been without some air of ceremony or even a tad bit of controversy. So when you look at Yimou, you’re looking at an auteur who continues to stand the test of time, and with Li’s stunning cinematic presence, needless to say, there’s magic happening.
The box-set is currently up for pre-order at the official website for Imprint Films, so read on for the feats and tech specs and get yours en route today.
The films of Zhang Yimou, one of the cinema’s greatest auteurs, and acclaimed Chinese actress Gong Li have had a profound effect on audiences around the world.
Their long and diverse filmmaking partnership has produced some of cinema’s greatest films.
Here presented for the first time in one collection are the eight major works from their remarkable collaboration together.
All eight films are presented in 1080p high definition from 2k masters from the original negatives. Each film has additional supplements to compliment and provide insight into the making of these important cinema achievements.
Limited edition 60-page booklet containing new essays from Professor Chris Berry & Professor Ying Zhu
Strictly Limited edition 2000 copies hard box packaging featuring unique artworkRed Sorghum (1988) – Imprint Collection #67
When a leprous winery owner in 1930s China dies a few days after his arranged marriage, his young widow is forced to run the winery to make a living while contending with bandits, her drunkard lover, and the invading Japanese army.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation from a new 2K scan
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on “Red Sorghum” (2021)
•“New Chinese Cinema” (1989) Vintage documentary directed by Tony Rayns
•Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
•Audio: Mandarin LPCM 1.0
•Subtitles: English / Chinese (Simplified) (burned-in for songs)Ju Dou (1990) – Imprint Collection #68
A woman married to the brutal and infertile owner of a dye mill in rural China conceives a boy with her husband’s nephew but is forced to raise her son as her husband’s heir without revealing his parentage in this circular tragedy.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation from a new 2K scan
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on “Ju Dou” (2021)
•Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
•Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1 / •Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
•Subtitles: EnglishRaise the Red Lantern (1991) – Imprint Collection #69
China in the 1920s. After her father’s death, 19 year old Songlian is forced to marry the much older lord of a powerful family. With three wives already, each living in a separate house within the great castle, there is fierce competition for his attention and the privileges that are gained.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation from a new 2K scan
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on “Raise the Red Lantern” (2021)
•NEW In-depth documentary about Yimou’s career and relationship to Chinese politics using an interview with Wendy Larson Ph.D, author and Professor of Modern Chinese Literature and Film
•Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
•Audio: Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1 / Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles: EnglishThe Story of Qiu Ju (1992) – Imprint Collection #70
A humorous fable of justice that traverses shot in the north of China. Gong Li plays Qiu Ju, a tenacious farmer determined to right a wrong done to her husband. Defying all stereotypes of the passive Chinese woman, she remains unbowed by the frustrations of bureaucracy in her quixotic search for dignity.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation from a new 2K scan
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on “The Story of Qiu Ju” (2021)
•Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
•Audio: Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
•Subtitles: EnglishTo Live (Huo zhe) (1994) – Imprint Collection #71
Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry. Addicted to gambling, Fugui loses everything. In the years that follow he is pressed into both the nationalist and communist armies, while Jiazhen is forced into menial work.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation from a new 2K scan
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on “To Live ” (2021)
•Interview with actress Gong Li
•Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
•Audio: Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
•Subtitles: EnglishShanghai Triad (1995) – Imprint Collection #72
Country boy Shuisheng is brought to 1930s Shanghai by his uncle who wants the boy to become a member of the powerful gang ruled by manipulative Tang. In fact, Shuisheng will serve Tang’s capricious mistress Bijou, a nightclub singer whom the boss proclaimed “the Queen of Shanghai.” When the boy’s uncle and the gang’s several other members die during a rival gang’s unsuccessful attempt on Tang’s life, the latter retreats to a remote small island, taking both Bijou and Shuisheng with him and thinking of revenge.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation from a new 2K scan
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on “Shanghai Triad ” (2021)
•Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
•Audio: Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
•Subtitles: EnglishCurse of the Golden Flower (2006) – Imprint Collection #73
Set in the lavish and breathtakingly colorful world hidden from the eyes of mere mortals behind the walls of the Forbidden City, a tale of a royal family divided against itself builds to a mythic climax as lines are crossed, trust is betrayed, and family blood is spilled in the quest for redemption and revenge.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on “Curse Of The Golden Flower ” (2021)
•NEW Interview with music composer Shigeru Umebayashi (2021)
•Los Angeles Premiere Footage
•“Secrets Within” featurette
•“The Emperor” featurette
•“The Empress” featurette
•B-Roll
•International Trailer
•Teaser
•TV-Spots
•Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
•Audio: Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1/ •Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo/•English Dolby Digital 5.1
•Subtitles: EnglishComing Home (2014) – Imprint Collection #74
Lu and Feng are a devoted couple forced to separate when Lu is arrested and sent to a labour camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. He finally returns home only to find that his beloved wife no longer recognizes him.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
•NEW Tony Rayns Interview on •“Coming Home ” (2021)
•Audio commentary by director Zhang Yimou (in Mandarin)
•Toronto Film Festival Q & A
•Interview with Gong Li
•“Making of” Featurette
•Audio: Mandarin DTS-HD Master •Audio 5.1/ English Audio •Descriptive Dolby Digital 5.1
•Subtitles: English
•Aspect Ratio:2.40:1
