Collaborations: The Cinema of Zhang Yimou & Gong Li

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 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.Red Sorghum (1988) – Imprint Collection #67When 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:1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scanFilm historian Tony Rayns on Red Sorghum (2021)Zhang Yimou interview by Tony Rayns (1988)Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1Audio: Mandarin LPCM 2.0 MonoSubtitles: EnglishJu Dou (1990) – Imprint Collection #68A 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:1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scanFilm historian Tony Rayns on Ju Dou (2021)Shadow Play: The Early Cinema of Zhang Yimou – documentaryInternational TrailerAspect Ratio: 1.37:1Audio: Mandarin DTS HD 5.1 Surround / Mandarin LPCM 2.0 StereoSubtitles: EnglishRaise the Red Lantern (1991) – Imprint Collection #69China 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:1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scanFilm historian Tony Rayns on Raise the Red Lantern (2021)Theatrical TrailerAspect Ratio: 1.85:1Audio: Mandarin DTS HD 5.1 Surround / Mandarin LPCM 2.0 StereoSubtitles: EnglishThe Story of Qiu Ju (1992) – Imprint Collection #70A 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:1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scanFilm historian Tony Rayns on The Story of Qiu Ju (2021)Theatrical TrailerAspect Ratio: 1.78:1Audio: Mandarin LPCM 2.0 StereoSubtitles: EnglishTo Live (Huo zhe) (1994) – Imprint Collection #71Fugui 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:1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scanFilm historian Tony Rayns on To Live (2021)Interview with actress Gong LiTheatrical TrailerAspect Ratio: 1.85:1Audio: Mandarin LPCM 2.0 StereoSubtitles: EnglishShanghai Triad (1995) – Imprint Collection #72Country 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:1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scanFilm historian Tony Rayns on Shanghai Triad (2021)Theatrical TrailersAspect Ratio: 1.85:1Audio: Mandarin LPCM 2.0 StereoSubtitles: EnglishCurse of the Golden Flower (2006) – Imprint Collection #73Set in the lavish and breathtakingly colorful world hidden from the eyes of mere mortals behind the walls of the Forbidden