Ju Dou [Blu-ray]

Ju Dou Blu-ray presents Zhang Yimou’s visually stunning breakthrough drama, a landmark of Chinese cinema that helped launch both the director and star Gong Li onto the international stage. Celebrated for its lush cinematography and bold emotional storytelling, the film remains one of the most influential Chinese films of its era.

Set in rural China in the early 20th century, the story follows the young and beautiful Ju Dou, who is sold into marriage to the cruel and abusive owner of a dye mill. When the man’s gentle nephew arrives to work at the mill, Ju Dou finds comfort and passion in his arms. Their forbidden relationship soon leads to the birth of a child, forcing the pair into an increasingly dangerous web of secrecy, deception and resentment that threatens to erupt into tragedy.

With its striking use of colour, powerful performances and emotionally charged storytelling, Ju Dou earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and remains one of the defining works of the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers.

directed by: Zhang Yimou, Yang Fengliang
starring: Gong Li, Baotian Li, Wei Li, Zhang Yi
1990 / 95 min / Mandarin

Number of discs: 1