The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
The Third Wife

Film Movement

The Third Wife

$28.99
$28.99
$41.98
Sold Out

Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

FM-025 SLIP
{ "43381642035242":1 }
- +
Only 610 left in stock

Limit of 1 per customer

My checklist
Have it Need it

You have reached the limit of this product.

Need a protector for the Limited Edition? Add this:
Slipcover Protector
$3.00
$3.00
App, frontpage merch, protector

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 special limited edition slipcover (designed by Brandon Schaefer) 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.

In late 19th century Vietnam, fourteen-year-old May becomes the third wife to a wealthy landowner. She quickly learns that she can gain status and security if she gives birth to a male child, but her burgeoning attraction to Xuan, the second wife, puts her fragile standing in jeopardy. As May observes the unfolding tragedy of forbidden love and its devastating consequences, she must make a choice, to either carry on in silence, or forge a path towards personal freedom.

directed by: Ash Mayfair
starring: Nguyen Phuong Tra My, Nu Yên-Khê Tran, Long Le Vu, Lam Thanh My
2018 / 96 min / 1.49:1 / Vietnamese DTS-HD MA 5.1, 2.0

Additional info:

  • Region A Blu-ray
  • Commentary with director Ash Mayfair
  • Between Shadow and Soul alternative silent, version of The Third Wife
  • NYAFF Chat interview with director Ash Mayfair
  • Short film: Grasshopper by Ash Mayfair
  • 16-page booklet with an essay by writer and historian Beatrice Loayza
  • English subtitles

Overall rating: 4.6190476 / 5 from 21 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["style","handled","film","transfer","story","cinematography","movie","tale","restoration transfer process","soundtrack"].

Review highlights

Reviews

ok movie, great meditative soundtrack

"It is a beautifully crafted and deeply atmospheric film. The cinematography is one of its strongest aspects, with elegant compositions and a soft, natural visual style that perfectly complements the story. The tale unfolds slowly and quietly, making the film feel contemplative rather than plot-driven. The restoration and transfer are also very impressive, preserving the delicate textures, colors, and mood of the film with great care. I also really enjoyed the soundtrack, which adds to its immersive and meditative atmosphere. While I admired it more than I fully connected with it, this is still a visually striking and thoughtfully made film."

— Emmanuel R. (4/5)

Disturbingly gorgeous

"A deeply harrowing yet disarmingly gorgeous tale about the role of women in 19th-century Vietnam centered around the wives of a landowner. The movie handles heavy subjects delicately and compassionately but doesn't pull any punches when necessary, the ending will stay with me for a while."

— Cristian T. (5/5)

This One Was Very interesting

"The cinematography on this one was breathtaking! I really enjoyed the entire affair all the way through! I especially enjoy the awesome VS stacking of shipping which lets me add as many movies as I like! The peerless VS restoration transfer 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)

Beautiful

"Slow paced sensuality"

— Oleh S. (5/5)

A Window into a Different World

"Womanhood, femininity and sensuality in a place where girlhood is ripped away without choice, sexual subjugation is a way of daily life, and oppression under the patriarchy is justified as the traditional way of things. And still, director Ash Mayfair and her cast find moments and attitudes of female empowerment in spaces where you’d never expect to find them, and there are in fact, unforeseen frailties for both genders in this 19th century societal dynamic. In this way, The Third Wife builds a holistic, often ambiguous emotional response to uncomfortably intimate, yet intensely fascinating incongruities, without ever being wholly satisfying. The visual and auditory approach of a natural world that dreamily and smokily envelopes these human hierarchies, quietly plants its faces, moods and textures, and versatile cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj (who I’m so excited to say shot the film I recently cast) does a sensitive and captivating job of rooting the film in the single point of view of the lead character, while elevating the young girl’s performance with her camera. It’s not just the sustained observation of a tender child overwhelmed by new circumstances and people she feels very outside of, but that the camera sits and breathes with her as she takes it all in, not uttering a word till eleven minutes in, and even then, the dialogue is incredibly sparse. Lead actress Nguyen Phuong Tra My took the role on as a pre-teen, in what is surely one of the most challenging parts ever portrayed by a twelve-year-old on-screen."

— Timothy E. (3/5)

The beauty will surround, the story will drown you.

"THE THIRD WIFE IS FIRST RATE"

— Mark M. (5/5)

Incredible Story & 4K Transfer

"Powerful story & the cinematography is spectacular. Great acting, music & pace Thank You Vinegar Syndrome"

— Roland E. (5/5)

Third wife.

"Cool slipcover. Looking forward to watching this transfer."

— Justin M. (4/5)

Vietnamese drama

"Incredible foreign film"

— Chris T. (5/5)

Beautiful piece of cinema.

"I thought this was excellen. Great cinematography and great story."

— Jesse W. (5/5)

Q&A

More Items to Consider