This was broadcast recently on Film 4 in the UK. I hadn't seen it for many years and I'm here to tell you it's an absolute classic in many ways.
It's a wonderfully shot and atmospheric film - as you've come to expect from the director - and it runs a full emotional gamut from youthful exuberance, through growing maturity to angry armed resistance to the Japanese occupation.
The sorghum wine itself, red and glowing, reflects blood, sacrifice, pleasure and pain.
The compositions of the shots, again as you'd expect from this director, are painterly and breath taking. I found myself pausing the live action to fully drink in much of the framing. No martial arts, no special digital effects just glorious film making.
The voice over works well to distance and frame the action - although there's a degree of unreliable narration.
A wonderful film I urge you to see it.
It's a wonderfully shot and atmospheric film - as you've come to expect from the director - and it runs a full emotional gamut from youthful exuberance, through growing maturity to angry armed resistance to the Japanese occupation.
The sorghum wine itself, red and glowing, reflects blood, sacrifice, pleasure and pain.
The compositions of the shots, again as you'd expect from this director, are painterly and breath taking. I found myself pausing the live action to fully drink in much of the framing. No martial arts, no special digital effects just glorious film making.
The voice over works well to distance and frame the action - although there's a degree of unreliable narration.
A wonderful film I urge you to see it.