Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Red Sorghum Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 7, 2018

Zhang Yimou’s "Red Sorghum" (1988) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Chinese label Diskino. The supplemental features on the disc include a brand new program with film critic Tony Rayns and collectible booklets. In Mandarin, with optional English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The arrival

Opinions vary and it is very possible that in China there are other films that are viewed as equally good or even better, but on the international scene Zhang Yimou’s Red Sorghum is still considered by many the most impressive directorial debut to emerge from the country in three decades. After winning the prestigious Golden Bear Award in Berlin, the film permanently placed the spotlight not only on its creator but also on actress Gong Li and since then their work has been one of the Chinese film industry’s best exports.

Rural China, sometime during the 1930s. A voice behind the camera casually explains that Nainai (Gong Li) is on her way to a remote village where she is expected to take over the management of a large winery. It is just days after she has married and lost her husband, a leprous man who had no chance of surviving a terrible disease.

While passing through a cornfield, Nainai’s sedan chair carriers are stunned by a masked brute that abducts the young widow and then not too far away from the dusty road rapes her. She quietly returns to the carriers and eventually they reach her new home. On the following day, Nainai is introduced to the winery workers and after a round of pleasantries they begin work on the first run of sorghum wine. But the rowdy drunkard Luohan (Jiang Wen) sabotages their work and after no one dares to confront him pees in the fresh wine. The man also brags that he has made love to Nainai without facing opposition. The revelation surprises the peasant workers, and their leader’s discovery later that night that the “damaged wine” actually tastes a lot better shocks them.

Not long after the brilliant discovery, however, the Japanese Army invades China and reaches the provincial area where Nainai operates the winery. The invaders destroy her best fields and then turn the winemakers into slaves. When the bravest amongst them rise up to reclaim their honor and defend the land, the invaders crush them and then stage a brutal public execution to prevent future troubles.

Red Sorghum is a film of numerous contrasts that quickly become so extreme that they actually completely change its structural identity. In fact, they do it multiple times and with such eagerness that the tonal shifts that emerge throughout the film can become quite perplexing to some western viewers.

But this isn’t an overlooked flaw of the narrative. On the contrary, some of the shifts are so drastic that it is a total giveaway that they are in fact intentionally exaggerated for optimal effect. So while telling a very dramatic period story about dignity, oppression, and the value of freedom, the film makes it practically impossible not to compare the reality in which Nainai and her winemakers are placed with the status quo that the Communist Party maintained in China during the 1980s. In other words, when seen from the proper angle the entire film functions as a very smart “wake up call”.

Of course the main reasons why the film survived the Chinese censors are the inspired acting and its truly spectacular cinematography. Indeed, while a few of the leads definitely leave lasting impressions the entire project is a team effort where everyone’s contribution is crucial. The incredible busts of rich colors -- with red intentionally being overemphasized to strengthen the narrative’s dual function -- also transform the film into an unforgettable visual feast.

*This recent Collector’s Edition of Red Sorghum is sourced from a brand new 2K restoration of the film that was completed in China.

Red Sorghum Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Zhang Yimou's Red Sorghum arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Chinese label Diskino.

The release is sourced from a recent 2K remaster of the film that appears to have been struck from an interpositive. I like it a lot. Density levels could be a little bit better, mostly during the indoor/nighttime footage, but the rest looks wonderful in high-definition. Detail, depth, clarity, and the overall dynamic range of the visuals are very convincing. There are no traces of problematic digital work either, so despite some minor fluctuations grain exposure is very nice. There are no stability issues. The color grading is very convincing -- there are solid primaries with an excellent range of nuances. I noticed a couple of flecks, but there are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, stains, or torn frames to report. Well done. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Red Sorghum Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

there is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Mandarin LPCM 1.0. Optional English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, the English subtitles split the image frame and the black bar below it.

There are no technical issues to report in our review. The audio is very clean and nicely balanced. It also promotes a good range of nuanced dynamics. In fact, a few of the action sequences surprise with great oomph, though you should not expect it to march that of big-budget Hollywood productions. The English translation is good, but a few minor errors that could have been avoided.

Red Sorghum Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A New Appreciation of Chinese Cinema - in this wonderful new featurette, Asian cinema expert and critic Tony Rayns discusses the evolution of the Chinese film industry, the distribution of locally produced films, the production history of Red Sorghum, some of the more interesting contrasts (and inaccuracies) in it, etc. The featurette was produced exclusively for Diskino. In English, with optional Mandarin subtitles. (56 min).

• Cards - five collectible cards.

• Cover - reversible cover.

• Screenplay - the original screenplay for Red Sorghum, plus technical descriptions. In Mandarin.

• Book - a large collectible book featuring a reprinted interview with director Zhang Yimou as well as reviews and writings on the film by Chinese film critics and directors. In Mandarin.

Red Sorghum Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Zhang Yimou's Red Sorghum is a powerful, very clever, and very risky directorial debut. I am convinced that it was conceived a lot like the great Soviet classic films, many of which had the ability to deliver completely different messages when viewed from different angles. This new Blu-ray release of Red Sorghum is sourced from a lovely new 2K remaster and is currently available for purchase only in China via local label Diskino. If you enjoy the film, definitely find a way to import a copy for your collection. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.