Ju Dou

DVD: Ju Dou

Directed by Zhang Yimou.
Starring: Gong Li (Raise the Red Lantern, Shanghai Triad, Memoirs of a Geisha, etc) and Li Baotian

A mesmerizing melodrama set in the 1920's, Ju Dou is the story of a young beauty, Ju Dou, who marries Yang Jinshan, an abusive village dye-house owner. She was taken as Yang's second wife in order to produce a male heir to continue his family line. Unfortunately, Yang is sterile from old age and an unmentionable disease. So before long, the enthralling study of passion unfolds as Ju Dou decides to have an affair with Yang's adopted son, Tianbai. Shackled with feudal ethics, Ju Dou and Tianbai could not get married and remained aunt and nephew. The burning desire for revenge then takes the stage for Ju Dou. Oscar nominated for Best Foreign Language Film in 1991. Mandarin with Chinese English Subtitles. 90 minutes