Search - To Live on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Movie Release: 1994 DVD Release: 07/01/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: Mandarin Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 13 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 7 Genres: Drama, Political Drama, Family Drama See Also: To Live

Zhang Yimou, often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker, directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes, set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui (Ge You) is the father of a once-wealthy family whose addiction to gambling and chronic bad luck causes him to lose his home in a game of dice with Long'er (Ni Dabong). Fugui's wife Jiazhen (Gong Li) abandons him, and he finds himself working as a peddler, until the man who now owns his home gives him a pair of shadow puppets. Fugui learns the art of puppetry and travels as a performer; while on the road, he is arrested by Nationalist forces, until he is liberated by advancing Red Army factions, and he comes him home to his wife and children as they adapt to the nation's new leadership. While once a lazy spendthrift, Fugui vows to change his ways, and he struggles to become a better worker and citizen. But Fugui and his family soon realize that there is adversity waiting for them around every corner, and the onset of the Cultural Revolution makes it clear that China's new regime can be as corrupt and callous as the old order. While a Grand Prize winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 1995 BAFTA Awards, Huozhe did not fare well in its homeland. Chinese censors objected to the film's commentary about political abuses in China's past, as well as Zhang Yimou's attempts to present the film at several international festivals. As punishment, he was forced to write a formal apology and was not allowed to make another film for two years. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ge You - Fugui
Gong Li - Jiazhen
Niu Ben - Town Chief
Guo Tao - Chunsheng
Jiang Wu - Erxi

This award-winning drama from China has been given a solid presentation on DVD. To Live has been given a widescreen transfer in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1; the image is letterboxed on conventional televisions, and enhanced for widescreen playback on 16 x 9 monitors. The original Mandarin-language audio track has been mastered in Dolby Digital Surround Stereo, with optional English and French-language subtitles available, as well as closed captioning in English. As a bonus, the film's theatrical trailer has been included as well. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide