Film Movement Classics

Ju Dou

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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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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!

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This special limited edition slipcover (designed by Adam Maida) is limited to 1,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Founded in 2002 as one of the first-ever subscription film services with its DVD-of-the-Month Film Club, Film Movement is now a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City. In 2015, Film Movement launched the reissue label Film Movement Classics featuring new restorations released theatrically as well as on home video, with an emphasis on films by auteur directors such as Eric Rohmer, Peter Greenaway and Takeshi Kitano.

The film that put director Zhang Yimou and star Gong Li on the international cinema map follows beautiful young Ju Dou as she is married off to an egregiously cruel, and also impotent, owner of a dye mill in the Chinese countryside in the early 20th century. When the boss’ nephew arrives on the scene they fall for each other with lustful abandon. Their impassioned affair soon leads to a son. After the clandestine couple convinces the despotic husband that he is the father, the boy is raised as his long-awaited heir. However the myriad complications of infidelity lead to a visceral and psychological melee  between the lovers and their ruler with explosively dramatic turns. With its stunning mise en scène and sumptuous use of color, Ju Dou was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards® and has earned a reputation as one of the greatest Chinese films ever made.

directed by: Zhang Yimou, Yang Fengliang
starring: Gong Li, Baotian Li, Wei Li, Zhang Yi

1990 / 95 min / 1.37:1 / Mandarin DTS-HD MA 2.0

Additional info:

  • Region A Blu-ray
  • Commentary by film critics James Marsh and Pierce Conran
  • Video essay by USC Professor Kin Tak Raymond Tsang
  • Contemporary Chinese Voices on Ju Dou video discussion
  • English subtitles

Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 30 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: [colors, film, release, treatment, gong li, movie, compositions, drama, story, transfer].

Review highlights

Reviews

Beautiful Drama

"Ju Dou is a visually stunning drama that uses rich colors and striking compositions to tell a deeply tragic story. Zhang Yimou crafts a tense, emotionally charged atmosphere, while Gong Li delivers a powerful, unforgettable performance. It’s a slow-burning film, but its beauty and intensity make it incredibly impactful."

Shawn M. (5/5)

Amazed

"It’s a very good transfer, color is vibrant with great care to preserve the original delicate composition. Soundmix sounds appropriately rich without an updated dynamic remix not consistent with original version Supplemental features are very informative. Booklet and packaging are nicely designed. Happy with purchase."

JORGE M. (5/5)

I Thought This Was A very Good Film!

"This really good drama release was a very engaging film to watch! It kept my attention throughout the entire movie, and I am very glad I bought it! The peerless VS restoration treatment process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"

Paul K. (5/5)

Stunning, infuriating, and saddening. A

"Stunning, infuriating, and saddening. A movie that's been on my "must have" list for a long, long time so thrilled to finally get to see it again. Having to stop a coffin 49 times is 48 too many. One of the finest movies ever made."

Jason H. (5/5)

Ju Dou

"FMC is killing it with these foreign films. Great film."

Justin M. (5/5)

Dyed in Desire

"Film Movement's release, distributed through VS, finally gives Zhang Yimou's 1990 forbidden romance a proper home video edition. Gong Li is incandescent against the film's saturated palette of reds and yellows, and the story's slow-burn cruelty hits harder than ever in a clean transfer. Adam Maida's slipcover art is a worthy companion to one of Chinese cinema's finest films."

Tristin B. (5/5)

Masterpiece

"One of the greatest Chinese films ever. A must own. Brilliant cinematography and an even better performance from Gong Li. Slipcover looks amazing."

Gregory L. (5/5)

Dark Beauty in Red

"The film dives into cycles of abuse, patriarchy, and repression. Nobody here is completely innocent, and even the small acts of rebellion carry heavy consequences. The colors, especially the reds, pop off the screen, and Gong Li conveys so much with just her expression, showing passion, fear, and quiet defiance all at once. Ju Dou makes up for it with a slow-burning, emotionally powerful story. It’s heartbreaking, visually gorgeous, and stays with you long after it ends."

Mitchell C. (4/5)

Good movie and release.

"Love these film movement releases, the films are of great quality, and are very memorable. High quality slipcover and art works makes this a release worth buying."

JIANJIANG B. (5/5)

Great film.

"Gong Li and her beauty is a plus, but this overall is a solid film."

Jesse W. (5/5)

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