Details
Movie Description
This epic saga from the director of RAISE THE RED LANTERN follows four generations of one family as they struggle through the turbulence of 20th-century China. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.
Synopsis
When the irresponsible Xu Fugui loses his family's fortune during a gambling spree, he causes his loved ones incredible hardship. Fugui's father dies from a heart attack upon hearing the news, and his pregnant wife abandons him. Unable to put bread on the table, even for himself, Fugui works as a street vender, and when his wife notices his uncustomary humility, she returns. Within a year, Fugui desires to open a shop but is unable to raise the necessary funds. Instead of money, the local loan shark gives him his old shadow puppets. Soon, Fugui masters the art of puppetry, which increases his paltry income -- but also serves as propaganda for the imminent Communist Revolution.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Stereo Surround - Mandarin Chinese
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Produced in China and Hong Kong by ERA International, Ltd. and Shanghai Film Studios.
Additional cast: Guo Tao (Chunsheng), Jiang Wu (Wan Erxi) and Ni Dahong (Long'er).
Rated BBFC 12 by the British Board of Film Classification.
Industry Reviews
"...[Ge You] gives a masterfully underplayed performance..."
Sight and Sound - Tony Rayns (10/01/1994)
"...In two magnificent performances, [Li] carries the story's emotions and [You] the weight of history....[TO LIVE] would be an extravagant and emotional film, even if it weren't a politically brave one too..."
New York Times - Caryn James (09/30/1994)
"...Engrossing....A story that transcends all cultural boundaries." -- Rating: A
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (12/23/1994)
"...Masterful, stirring....It possesses both vast scope and intimacy, humor and sorrow, complex characterizations, richness of incident and an awareness of the quixotic role fate plays in all our destinies..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (12/14/1994)
"...It is a big, strong, energetic film..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (12/23/1994)
"...Chameleonic Gong adds another memorable portrait to her gallery..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (08/25/1995)
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