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Welcome to our foreign films page, featuring foreign movies in video and DVD format in languages from a host of countries. Note: unless stated otherwise, all videocassettes are in VHS and NTSC format, and all DVDs are for players that support Region 1 encoding (United States and Canada) and are in NTSC format. Check our DVD Compatibility FAQ for more information about region encoding, television formats, and other specifications. If you can't find what you need, please email us.
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Hero Zhang Yimou Beautiful imagery, fine storytelling and impressive martial arts sequences set Zhang Yimou's epic in class of its own. Action, romance and history are deftly mixed to examine the nature of the hero and its relation to Chinese nationalism. Set deep in China's past, when the country was divided into seven warring states, Hero follows in flashback the shifting accounts made to an emperor by a nameless warrior (Jet Li) who claims to have killed three indestructible assassins (Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung and Donnie Yen). Yimou's use of color is extraordinary and the many action sequences, including one in which Cheung and Li deflect thousands of arrows in a whirlwind of hands and motions, set a new standard. Also stars actress Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). In Mandarin with English subtitles. China, 2002, 93 mins. DVD | $44.95
Curse of the Golden Flower Zhang Yimou Director Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) delivers his most ambitious martial arts epic to date. Set near the end of the Tang dynasty, the film revolves around the twisted marriage of the emperor (Chow Yun-Fat) and his bride (Gong Li)--he's slowly poisoning her, she's plotting to overthrow him. The overstuffed story, filled with intrigue, incest, and other operatic devices, is excessive to say the least, right along with the boldly colorful visuals, grand production design, and soaring battle sequences. With Jay Chou and Ye Liu. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Hong Kong/China, 2006, 114 mins. DVD | $37.95
Hero Zhang Yimou Beautiful imagery, fine storytelling and impressive martial arts sequences set Zhang Yimou's epic in class of its own. Action, romance and history are deftly mixed to examine the nature of the hero and its relation to Chinese nationalism. Set deep in China's past, when the country was divided into seven warring states, Hero follows in flashback the shifting accounts made to an emperor by a nameless warrior (Jet Li) who claims to have killed three indestructible assassins (Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung and Donnie Yen). Yimou's use of color is extraordinary and the many action sequences, including one in which Cheung and Li deflect thousands of arrows in a whirlwind of hands and motions, set a new standard. Also stars actress Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). In Mandarin with English subtitles. China, 2002, 93 mins. DVD | $37.95
House of Flying Daggers Zhang Yimou Zhang Yimou's second consecutive martial arts drama blends sumptuous sets and balletic action sequences into a stunning and kinetic whole. Set in 859 AD, the film follows a pair of lawmen (Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) as they attempt to uncover a revolutionary faction called the Flying Daggers. The captains enlist the help of a beautiful dancer (Zhang Ziyi) whose father is a member of the faction, and she agrees to help after falling deeply in love with one of her protectors. The story is ultimately secondary to the stunning visuals, which burst forth with startling energy. As he proved with Hero and again with this film, "Zhang could not shoot an unbeautiful scene if he tried" (Anthony Lane, The New Yorker). DVD is letterboxed, and includes optional English and French language tracks and optional English and French subtitles. In Mandarin with English subtitles. China/Hong Kong, 2004, 119 mins. DVD | $37.95
Ju Dou Zhang Yimou The erotic thriller that China didn't want you to see. An exquisitely photographed and smartly performed drama of secret love and hidden faces. Trouble closely follows passion when a beautiful young bride is drawn to the handsome, strong nephew of her new husband, an ancient and disagreeable owner of an isolated dye factory. With excellent performances by Gong Li, Li Bao-tan, Li Wei and Zhang Li. In Mandarin with English subtitles. China/Japan, 1989, 98 mins. DVD | $37.95
Not One Less Zhang Yimou From the celebrated director (Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern) comes this warm, witty and touching comic fable about a thirteen-year-old girl who is chosen to serve as a substitute teacher when her poor village's elder schoolmaster is away. Her troubles teaching children not much younger than herself are nothing compared to the trouble she finds in the city when she travels to find a missing student. "Not One Less is a movie whose humanity is irresistibly, even joyfully, accessible" (Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com). A Golden Lion winner at the Venice Film Festival. In Mandarin with English subtitles. China, 1999, 106 mins. DVD | $44.95
Raise the Red Lantern Zhang Yimou The third feature by Zhang Yimou stars the beautiful Gong Li as a 20-year-old college student who leaves school to become the fourth wife of a wealthy, powerful aristocrat. Her presence occasions a series of bitter jealousies and disputes with the three other wives. A fascinating work about sex, oppression and patriarchy. Named Best Foreign Language Film by the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics. In Mandarin with English subtitles. China/Taiwan, 1991, 125 mins. DVD | $37.95
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles Zhang Yimou This emotional Zhang Yimou (Hero) drama follows an aging Japanese father's journey to the Yunnan province of China to fulfill his son's dying wish--to complete his beloved video documentary about a community of peasants. The director's display of earnest nostalgia for rural life and tenderness for his characters is almost as outstanding as the naturally grand Chinese locations. With Ken Takakura, Shinobu Terajima, and Jiamin Li. In Mandarin with optional English subtitles. Hong Kong/China/Japan, 2005, 109 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Road Home Zhang Yimou Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) stars in this lovingly visualized film from Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou). After his father dies, a son arranges for the traditional funeral ceremonies of his mother's village. As the customs are revived, so are memories of his parents' courtship. "The director finds poetry in the face of his lead actress, whose performance is as luminous and moving as the film itself" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone). In Mandarin with English subtitles. China, 1999, 89 mins. DVD | $44.95
Shanghai Triad Zhang Yimou Gong Li is once again the star of a lavish period piece from one of China's most celebrated directors. Li becomes enmeshed in a struggle between vicious, feuding warlords. As the mistress of Shanghai's chief gangster, she doesn't have much say in the matter. Beautiful cinematography, for which this film was nominated for an Academy Award, makes it simply spellbinding. The cause of controversy in China, it offers an unparalleled look at China's enduring power politics. In Mandarin with English subtitles. China, 1995, 107 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Story of Qiu Ju Zhang Yimou In this comedy a woman seeks justice for a simple slight against her husband. Along the way, she encounters a welter of bureaucracy and politesse in this well-observed portrait of contemporary Chinese life. In Chinese with English subtitles. China, 1993, 100 mins. DVD | $37.95
To Live Zhang Yimou Winner of the 1994 Cannes Palme d'Or, Zhang Yimou's daring political tale of modern China landed him in major difficulties with the Chinese authorities. To Live follows a contemporary family across the turbulent face of modern China, from the Japanese invasion through Mao's Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. The powerful drama is made all the more potent by the strong performance of Gong Li. In Mandarin with English subtitles. China, 1994, 132 mins. DVD | $37.95
