The discussion of best Chinese directors almost always includes names like Jiang Wen, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, and Wong Kar-Wai. Certainly, all of these have made their impacts both in their homeland and here in America, but one that gets left out of the discussion far too often is Chen Kaige. Winner of the Palm D'or in 1993 for Farewell My Concubine, he also directed the gorgeous wuxia fantasy, The Promise. His one big Hollywood film was an utter disaster, the lame Joseph Fiennes/Heather Graham thriller, Killing Me Softly. Now he's back doing what he does best, crafting large scale historical epics with his latest film, Sacrifice.
Kaige has toned down the flashy colors and aerial acrobatics in favor of something that's a bit more grounded, but no less beautiful. Based on the 13th century play, The Orphan of Zhao, this revenge tale begins when a power mad general utterly wipes out his rival's clan and entire family. A single newborn survives the onslaught, taken in by a doctor who raises the boy as his own, hoping one day the child will be strong enough to use as his instrument of retribution.
Sacrifice opens in limited release on July 27th. Check out the trailer below...
Sacrifice - trailer HD (Chen Kaige) (China... by myfilm-gr
