Collaborations: The Cinema of Zhang Yimou & Gong Li

It's just incredible to finally own a collection of these films. A few years ago I heard rumours somewhere that they were lost, and that we might never get proper HD transfers. To be honest a couple of these transfers would probably be improved by hardcore 4K restorations (from Criterion, one day?) but on the whole they're very pleasing to the eye and better than anything I'd dreamed of. The amount of extra materials is decent, and the discs are region free. Highly recommended.

I had the opportunity to watch a few of Zhang Yimou's films several years ago. Unforttunatelly, I couldn't get any DVD nor Blue Ray of any them until now,This set includes a great compilation of Yimou's films; one can see the evolution of his work and the great interpretation of many principal characters by Gong Li, Both have created some gems of the Chinese fimmography

Outstanding! Bought for present! Just super!

Cool collection

Aspect ratios and color grading are far from faithful to the original works. I suggest that Yimou and Li sue the company who issued this abomination and the Distributors, as well. It's unfortunate that Criterion or BFI didn't remaster these films.

In addition to the films each one is introduced by British film historian Tony Rayns, who has established personal relationships with many Chinese film makers. He does a thorough job of contextualizing the movie in both Zhang Yimou's evolution as a film-maker as well as the state of the PRC industry at the time the film was made with respect to political sensitivities and censorship. This is a collection worth buying.

This blu-ray set is Region free and will play on North American blue day players. Have no idea why Amazon listing incorrectly stresses that it is not Region free.

Taken from amazing new 2K transfers for most of the films listed, and honestly the supplements featuring film historian Tony Rayns are so outstanding that even those are their own massive Chinese history lesson that you'll go back to time and time again.