Press Release Criterion Press Release: Farewell My Concubine (1993) (4k UHD Combo) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

A breathtakingly intimate romance unfolds against a sweeping backdrop of social upheaval in renowned director Chen Kaige’s sumptuous saga of passion, fate, and the transcendent possibilities of art. Spanning fifty years of twentieth-century Chinese history, Farewell My Concubine follows aspiring actors Dieyi (a heartbreaking Leslie Cheung) and Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi) as they emerge from a childhood of brutal training to become Beijing-opera stars, with life mirroring art as Dieyi’s unrequited love for Xiaolou and the country’s changing political tides engulf them in their own personal tragedies of jealousy and betrayal. The first Chinese film to win the Palme d’Or is epic filmmaking of the highest order—visually and emotionally ravishing from frame to exquisite frame.

FILM INFO​

• China
• 1993
• 171 minutes
• Color
• 1.85:1
• Mandarin
• Spine #1228
  
  

  4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

  • New 4K digital restoration of the original director’s cut, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
  • One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  • New conversation between Chinese-cultural-studies scholar Michael Berry and producer Janet Yang
  • Documentary from 2003 on the making of the film
  • Interview from 1993 with director Chen Kaige conducted by journalist Charlie Rose
  • Trailer
  • New English subtitle translation
  • PLUS: An essay by author and scholar Pauline Chen
    
    New cover by Eric Skillman
    
    July 23, 2024

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

https://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Con...k&qid=1713551311&sprefix=farewe,aps,92&sr=8-3

 

[jayembee]

I've had this on LD and DVD from Miramax, and with both, I always thought the colors were off. The reds, especially, were way too intense. The BFI Blu-ray was better, but I'm looking forward to seeing how this looks in 4K.

 

[Konstantinos]

The BFI Blu-ray was better, but I'm looking forward to seeing how this looks in 4K.

Well, the screenshots in Criterion's site look good. Not the piss-yellow tint I was afraid of from the new 4k restoration:

Farewell My Concubine

A breathtakingly intimate romance unfolds against a sweeping backdrop of social upheaval in renowned director Chen Kaige’s sumptuous saga of passion, fate, and the transcendent possibilities of art. Spanning fifty years of twentieth-century Chinese history, Farewell My Concubine follows aspiring...

www.criterion.com

 

[bujaki]

Great film. I have the Region B release, simply because it was the only way to watch it uncut. Will get this in 4K.

 

[jayembee]

I had first seen it at the Boston Film Festival in September 1993. I've no idea if that showing was the uncut version. The only specific thing I can remember was that the title on screen was the slightly different "Farewell to My Concubine".

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

https://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Con...k&qid=1713551311&sprefix=farewe,aps,92&sr=8-3

 

[dana martin]

well i can't seem to find that information now, but for a time it was rumored that this was going to be getting a releases from Film Movement, who by the way does great work, wonder what changed?
Criterion making this announcement, will definitely make this a bigger release numbers wise.
May have to upgrade my HK release blu.