A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play
A New Old Play

Kani

A New Old Play

$25.49
$25.49
$34.98
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Edition Type: Standard Edition

KANI-010
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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

Details

This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Qiu Jiongjiong) was limited to 1,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

Named after Yasujiro Ozu’s custom-made, tatami-level, crab-like tripod, Kani is a new home video label dedicated to leveling the gaze and furthering the understanding of Asian cinema in North America. Focused on genre-defying films, Kani aims to expand the canon, bolster up-and-coming filmmakers and reintroduce repertory classics in context. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!

Qiu Fu, the most renowned clown of Sichuan opera, has reached the netherworld. Welcomed by Ox-Head and Horse-Face, shepherds of the dead, he recounts his life with the “New-New” opera troupe before his turn at the Bridge of Forgetfulness. Starting in the 1920s, Qiu’s tale melds with China’s tumultuous century into the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Great Leap Forward, and other socio-political revolutions.

Inspired by his own grandfather’s life, Qiu Jiongjiong’s A New Old Play is a sumptuous intermingling of personal and national history. It transforms China’s many pivots into a vaudevillian theater of its own, culminating in a spiritual rumination on the passage of time and the role of the artist forced to weather the storm of history. Drawing from his background as a visual artist, Qiu arrives at a masterful, painterly style: flowing tableaux, carefully art-directed sets and ingenious hand-made miniatures bringing the act of remembrance into a delightful, phantasmagorical realm.

directed by: Qiu Jiongjiong
starring: Yi Sicheng, Guan Nan, Qiu Zhimin, Xue Xuchun, Gu Tao
2021 / 180 min / 1.77:1 / Sichuanese DTS-HD MA 5.1

Additional info:

  • Region Free Blu-ray
  • Short Film ”Ode to Joy” (2008, 31MINS)
  • Making of (2021, 19MINS)
  • Booklet Including Behind-the-Scene Photos, Storyboards, and Interview with Director
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Optional Chinese Subtitles

        Overall rating: 4.762712 / 5 from 59 reviews.

        AI Generated Review Summary

        A New Old Play, a Blu-ray release by Kani, offers a stunning visual experience with a beautiful film, epic cinema, and a spectacular release. The design of the slipcover is highly appreciated, and the optional subtitles add to the viewing experience.

        Summary topics

        • Film Quality: 40%
        • Slipcover Design: 15%
        • Cinematic Experience: 21%
        • Release Quality: 17%

        Review topics: ["colors","looks","design","presentation","style","packaging","buy","piece","film","slipcover","release","cinema","movie","humor","features","story","life","slip","play","timing","drama","china"].

        Review highlights

        • "Really entertaining film, another great release from Kani." — Sami A.
        • "The unique design reflects the film’s artistic style and themes, making it a sought-after item for collectors." — JIN L.
        • "The visual and sound design throughout is superb." — Bryan K.

        Reviews

        Fascinating

        "While a lot of it felt lost in translation due to my unfamiliarity with some of the specifics of Chinese history and culture, it was nonetheless a wonderfully produced experience. Will watch again to soak it in more."

        — Nick C. (5/5)

        Great Release from Kani

        "Stunning and bold film. Excellent audio and video presentation. Nice sleeve."

        — Peter D. (5/5)

        Bold & Stunning, Spectacular Release.

        "Spectacular film! This release looks and sounds amazing. The direction, acting, the score, all excellent, and the sets are stunning! This journey is highly recommended. Kani did a superb job with this release. Sweet special features, and a gorgeous slipcover. 10/10"

        — Ben. Z. (5/5)

        Bold and original, playful yet devastating

        "Kani’s Blu-ray release is a gift, beautifully presented and contextualized. Qiu Jiongjiong’s film is at once historical pageant, theatre chronicle, and sly social satire. The film embraces the duality of art and history, following a Sichuan opera troupe through warlord rule, Japanese invasion, civil war, the rise of the PRC, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution."

        — Mitchell C. (5/5)

        I loved it!

        "I loved it!"

        — Michael B. (5/5)

        Amazing story

        "Breathtaking film, and incredible story."

        — Zachery M. (5/5)

        Kani!

        "Interesting. Awesome slip"

        — Justin M. (5/5)

        Stunning

        "Stunning & unique film about the essence of being an artist. Highly recommend!"

        — Marcel W. (5/5)

        A New Old Play (2021): Exploring Humor, Slipcover Design, and Release Details

        "Humor Directed by Chinese filmmaker Qiu Jiongjiong, A New Old Play is renowned for its unique narrative style and bold dramatization of 20th-century Chinese political history. The film is imbued with humor, particularly through its depiction of war and political persecution, incorporating a significant amount of gallows humor and precise comedic timing by the cast. The director’s choice to film in the Sichuan dialect, known for its vividness and humor, further enhances the comedic effect. Slipcover Design The limited edition Blu-ray of the film, released by Kani, features a slipcover designed by director Qiu Jiongjiong himself. This edition was limited to 1,000 units and has since sold out. The unique design reflects the film’s artistic style and themes, making it a sought-after item for collectors. Release Details Premiered in 2021 with a runtime of 179 minutes, A New Old Play has garnered recognition and awards at various international film festivals. The Blu-ray release by Kani includes special features such as the director’s short film “Ode to Joy” (2008, 31 minutes), a making-of featurette (2021, 19 minutes), and a booklet containing behind-the-scenes photos, storyboards, and an interview with the director."

        — JIN L. (5/5)

        Director Qiu Jiongjiong does a

        "Director Qiu Jiongjiong does a really fantastic job with this release from Kani who always seem to be bringing out interesting films I never even knew excisted and this is one of them. I really wanted that slipcover but either way this is a great release."

        — Bryan K. (5/5)

        Q&A

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