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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka 'Sanxia haoren' or 'Still Life')
Directed by
Zhang Ke Jia
China / Hong Kong 2006
Still Life, winner Golden Lion, Venice Film Festival 2006, is an empathetic portrait of those left behind by a modernizing society and, as in director Jia Zhang-ke's earlier films (Platform, Unknown Pleasures, The World), it is a unique hybrid of documentary and fiction. In Still Life, great changes have come to the town of Fengjie due to the construction of the Three Gorges hydro project: Countless families that had lived there for many generations have had to relocate to other cities. Fengjie's old town, which has a 2000-year history, has been torn down and submerged forever, but its new neighborhood hasn't been finished yet. There are still things that need to be salvaged and yet there are also things that must be left behind. In Still Life, such life-changing choices face both Sanming, a miner traveling to Fengjie in search of his ex-wife of sixteen years, and Shen Hong, a nurse who has come to Fengjie to look for her husband who she hasn't seen in two years. Both Sanming and Shen will find who they're looking for, but in the process they too will have to decide what is worth salvaging in their lives and what they need to let go of. |
Poster
Theatrical Release: September 6th, 2006 - Venice Film Festival
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL vs. BFI - Region 0 - PAL vs. New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
1) ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL LEFT 2) BFI - Region 0 - PAL SECOND3) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD4) Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray RIGHT
|
Box Covers |
CLICK to order from: Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best... |
BONUS CAPTURES: |
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There is also a 2-disc edition of Still Life (also region 6 - PAL) - which includes Jia Zhang-ke’s documentary Dong (68 mins Mandarin with NO English subtitles), filmed at the same time as Still Life. | ||||
Distribution | ZHONG GUO LU - Region 6 - PAL | BFI - Region 2 - PAL | New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC | Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:46:32 (4% PAL Speedup) | 1:47:44 (4% PAL Speedup) | 1:47:24 | 1:47:44.558 |
Video | 1.75:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.31 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
1.75:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.31 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
1.75:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.31 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
1. 78:1 1080i Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 21,772,925,182 bytesFeature: 20,301,152,256 bytesVideo Bitrate: 23.27 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Zhong Guo Lu |
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Bitrate: BFI |
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Bitrate: NY'er |
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Bitrate: Blu-ray |
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Audio | Mandarin (Dolby Digital 2.0) | Mandarin (Dolby Digital 2.0) | Mandarin (Dolby Digital 5.1) |
Dolby Digital Audio Mandarin
192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -27dB Dolby Digital Audio Mandarin 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -27dB |
Subtitles | English, Simplified Chinese, None | English, None | English, None | English, None |
Features |
Release Information: Edition Details: • none |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Commentary by Tony Rayns • Dong (68 mins Mandarin with English subtitles)
• 34-page booklet (color photos, essays) |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Interview with Jia Zhang-Ke (17:27) with English subtitles• Dong (70 mins Mandarin with English subtitles) • Downloadable
PDF Press Kit
• 6-page booklet (color photos, essay by
Sheldon Lu and Bernice Reynaud) |
Release Information: Studio: Big World Pictures
1. 78:1 1080i Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 21,772,925,182 bytesFeature: 20,301,152,256 bytesVideo Bitrate: 23.27 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details: • Trailer (1:21) Trailers for other films
Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 14 |
Comments: |
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
NOTE: We have added 37 more large
resolution Blu-ray captures
(in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE
On their
Blu-ray,
Big World Pictures use lossy Dolby tracks with the option of 2.0 channel
or 5.1 surround in the
original Mandarin language. This is similar to the DVDs.
The score is by Giong Lim (A
Touch of Sin,
Millennium
Mambo,
Goodbye South, Goodbye,
24 City) and is exported
unremarkably, but clearly, in the lossy Dolby. Big World Pictures offer
optional English subtitles on
their Region FREE
Blu-ray.
Unfortunately, no extras unlike the BFI Tony Rayns commentary or NY'er
interview or
Zhang Ke Jia's 2006 documentary Dong (on both.) It has a
re-release trailer, and other trailers. Essentially it is bare-bones.
Yeah, the biggest attraction is the film itself. Seeing it in HD was a
definite positive experience advancing on the DVDs, but the lack of
extras and lossy audio may be a detraction for some. Still a fascinating
and impacting film experience that I'm glad to have finally seen on
Blu-ray, but
will be keeping the BFI DVD for the extras.
*** ADDITION: New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - December 08': It appears as though we may never see a progressive transfer of this masterpiece (and it is still 'cut' - see below) but there are still some bona-fide positives about this New Yorker DVD. This looks a degree sharper than the corresponding BFI release although may again be taken from an unconverted PAL source. Transfers are a relative wash but we'll give NY'er a marginal edge. New Yorker gives Still Life a superfluous 5.1 audio track and optional English subtitles. Currently the New Yorker is actually cheaper than the BFI and despite the lack of commentary still offers the film in an acceptable CRT presentation along with 70-minute film Dong, the 20-minute subtitled interview with Zhang Ke Jia and the liner notes. The commentary on the BFI is great and a good reason to indulge but more than that seeing the film, which is highly recommended, seems the important ideal. As Jonathan Rosenbaum says "...a poetic mix of realism and lyrical fantasy". *** ADDITION: BFI - Region 0 - PAL - September 08': Both good and bad news. The new BFI is interlaced and sports 'combing' artifacts and I don't see it as especially sharper than the older Chinese release. Good news is that it appears to have a much stronger subtitle translation, has a wonderful commentary by Tony Rayns and includes 'Dong' (progressive!) with optional English subs, plus a 34-page booklet.
I can concur with Harri of Finland who sent
this to us in email: Overall the BFI is very much worth it for the extras. The film is highly recommended! ****
ON THE ZHONG GUO LU - NOTE: 'The current release is cut somewhat. The Chinese authorities didn't like the shots of a small boy smoking. Bizarre. China's pollution is appalling added to which everyone seemingly smokes too. There are a few other cuts as well.' (Thanks Michael!) The strong recommendation of this DVD is based solely on the film - perhaps Zhang Ke Jia's most accessible with two powerfully concurrent stories. A masterpiece. The single layered DVD is coded for region 6, in the PAL standard, is interlaced (very slight combing can barely be detected - but is there nonetheless), and is widescreen but not 16X9 enhanced. The Chinese DVD has appeal as being the only game in town for this incredible film (aside from the 2-disc version also available from ZHONG GUO LU which has the same transfer)... and that it has English subtitles. The image does not look too bad at all considering - I see no manipulation as the film has been left appropriately dark throughout. Detail is as good as one could expect from the transfer media's limitations. As for the accuracy of the subs - I can't say, but there is not an abundance of dialogue in the film and the translations do not seem to be leaving out a great deal.
The DVD inferiorities don't take away from the magnificence of the film one iota. This borders on essential cinema folks - a riveting and memorable work from a truly masterful auteur. If there was a superior DVD version - we would easily recommend it but this is it for now - and we've certainly seen worse. For the price it is a no-brainer. |
DVD Menus
(ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL LEFT vs. BFI - Region 0 - PAL RIGHT)
New Yorker
|
Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Subtitle Sample
1) ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL TOP 2) BFI - Region 0 - PAL SECOND3) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD 4) Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
Example of Commentary subtitles on the BFI (and combing)
Screen Captures
1) ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL TOP 2) BFI - Region 0 - PAL SECOND3) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD 4) Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL TOP 2) BFI - Region 0 - PAL SECOND3) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD 4) Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL TOP 2) BFI - Region 0 - PAL SECOND3) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD 4) Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL TOP 2) BFI - Region 0 - PAL SECOND3) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD 4) Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE
Box Covers |
CLICK to order from: Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best... |
BONUS CAPTURES: |
||
There is also a 2-disc edition of Still Life (also region 6 - PAL) - which includes Jia Zhang-ke’s documentary Dong (68 mins Mandarin with NO English subtitles), filmed at the same time as Still Life. | ||||
Distribution | ZHONG GUO LU - Region 6 - PAL | BFI - Region 2 - PAL | New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC | Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
DVD Box Cover |
CLICK to order from: Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best... |
||
There is also a 2-disc edition of Still Life (also region 6 - PAL) - which includes Jia Zhang-ke’s documentary Dong (68 mins Mandarin with NO English subtitles), filmed at the same time as Still Life. | |||
Distribution | ZHONG GUO LU - Region 6 - PAL | BFI - Region 2 - PAL | New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC |