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Chinese master Zhang Yimou to remake the Cohen's Blood Simple.

99.14.102.40

I'm not sure how this will translate to a noodle shop in a Chinese desert province...but if anyone can do this it would Zhang Yimou. I don't think of him as someone with an acerbic or ironic wit, but he *is* a great filmmaker IMO. So, while I wouldn't ordinarily think of any Cohen film as remake fodder, I will be interested in what Yimou makes of it.
You may remember his previous films: Raise The Red Lantern, To Live, Ju Dou, Red Sorghum, The Story of Qiu Ju, House of Flying Daggers, Heroes etc. He has an amazing, painterly eye. He also introduced Gong Li to most western audiences, one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of her generation.
Of course, billions know Yimou for his remarkable production of the opneing and closing cermonies at the Bejing Olympics.
One of the more annoying things in life is the scarcity of Yimou's films in Good DVD editions.
Anyone else here have a favorite film by this modern master?
http://www.indiewire.com/article/spc_on_board_for_zhang_yimo (Open in New Window)

Edits: 07/29/09

Follow Ups:

I'd argue his greatest film may be the least appreciated, "To Live." - tinear 20:26:10 07/30/09 (1)
A masterpiece in all regards.
"Heroes" and "The House" are very, very good, too, as are some of his earlier efforts. It's a pity so many people dismiss out of hand any film with subtitles; if they did not, Zhang would be as big as Spielberg.
- "To Live" is one of the great ones. - Harmonia 10:30:32 07/31/09 (0)
  I'd have to see all the early films, along with Red Lantern and others to state categorically which I think is "best" or even my favorite.
  
  House of Flying Daggers and Heroes are interesting and beautiful, but I don't think they're anywhere near the quality of the early and middle Yimou.
  
  Taking on t neo-noir like this marks an interesting turn for the director, and I'll be very interested to see what he makes of it. This must be the only "remake" I've ever really looked forward to.
Blood Simple is among my favorite Coen brothers - PhilJ 09:46:39 07/30/09 (1)
films. A perfect example of film noir.

It is an interesting choice to remake it, especially by Zhang Yimou. His visual style could make it his own.

Thanks for the tip

btw I agree about Gong Li...

thanks

Phil
- "Bang a Gong," indeed. nt - tinear 20:27:23 07/30/09 (0)
  d
Gong Li isn't beautiful.....lipstick on a lantern. * - mr grits 16:07:33 07/29/09 (4)
.
NO GRITS NO GLORY
- Gracious, I can't agree. - Harmonia 10:41:39 07/31/09 (0)
  Have you actually *seen* her in those early and mid period Yimou movies?
  Hers is a distinctly Chinese style beauty but I would still assert that she is "beautiful", always understanding that such definitions may be highly personal.
  If Gong Lee doesn't break your heart in Raise The Red lantern, I'm not sure you have one to break.
  We shall have to agree to diagree.
  
  Edits: 07/31/09
- Right. - Tony D. 16:31:38 07/29/09 (2)
  I'll let her speak for herself.
  
  Edits: 07/29/09
  - RE: Right. - jimdgoulding@yahoo.com 13:15:14 07/31/09 (0)
    She's classicly beautiful.
  - All the females in 2046 blew Gong away . . . - mr grits 16:11:25 07/30/09 (0)
    .
    NO GRITS NO GLORY
'Not One Less' - Tony D. 16:00:04 07/29/09 (1)
Call me crazy but it always puts me in mind of 'The Bicycle Thief'.

To me the younger/earlier Zhang Yimou is where it's at, 'House of Flying Daggers' and 'Hero' are great and all but I feel like he lost touch with something along the way.

We are fortunate here in Vancouver that not only do we have lots of Chinese movie theatres, (one of which actually shows Chinese and Taiwanese art/drama films) we also have Wednesday evening Mandarin and Cantonese film night on one of the local TV stations so these (and many other Asian films) are very accessible.

J.B.
- Wow, lucky you. - Harmonia 10:26:41 07/31/09 (0)
  I had to wait and wait until "To Live" came to our local art theater. Unless the movies appear on cable networks like HBO, Showtime, STARZ, IFC or Sundance, we don't see them if you miss them in their theatrical run - if they get a UA release. That or try Netflix. There's some amazing stuff going on is Asian filmmaking.
RE: Normally I'd answer a remake post like this with 'why don't they - powermatic 14:50:32 07/29/09 (0)
film remakes of bad movies instead of ruining a good movie'? But as you say, this gives one pause. There's no doubt that the original BS was made on a budget, but was brought up to a small-classic level by the script, acting, cinematography, etc., so it should be interesting to see what Yimou can do with the original story and, I assume, a sack of dough.

Got a link?

"dammit"
RE: Chinese master Zhang Yimou to remake the Cohen's Blood Simple. - jimdgoulding@yahoo.com 12:25:25 07/29/09 (0)
Remarkable wrinkle in Blood Simple to me is how the audience knew what was going on from the start, but the subjects never knew even in the end. Usually, it's the other way around. The brothers latest movie used this formula, also, tho Blood Simple wasn't madcap, no sir. Interesting that Yimou is undertaking this. Expect he'll do it justice.

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