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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 SECOND

3) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Big World Pictures - Region FREE - Blu-ray RIGHT

 

Box Covers

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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
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-ray

Disc Size: 21,772,925,182 bytes

Feature: 20,301,152,256 bytes

Video Bitrate: 23.27 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate: 

Zhong Guo Lu

Bitrate:  BFI

Bitrate:  NY'er

Bitrate:  Blu-ray

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:
Studio: ZHONG GUO LU

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.75:1

Edition Details:

• none 

DVD Release Date: January 2nd, 2007

Keep Case
Chapters: 12

Release Information:
Studio: BFI

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.75:1

Edition Details:

• Commentary by Tony Rayns

• Dong (68 mins Mandarin with English subtitles)

• 34-page booklet (color photos, essays)

DVD Release Date: August 18th, 2008

Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 5

Release Information:
Studio: New Yorker

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.75:1

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)

DVD Release Date: November 8th, 2008

Keep Case
Chapters: 5

Release Information:
Studio:
Big World Pictures

 

1.78:1 1080i Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 21,772,925,182 bytes

Feature: 20,301,152,256 bytes

Video Bitrate: 23.27 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Trailer (1:21)

Trailers for other films


Blu-ray Release Date:
December 1st, 2020
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 14

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Big World Pictures Blu-ray (December 2020): Big World Pictures have transferred Jia Zhang-ke's brilliant Still Life to Blu-ray. It is in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and was shot on HDV (the discontinued Sony HVR-Z1E.) Unlike the SD DVD transfers this is also interlaced as it was filmed. The image, perhaps more so in the higher resolution, shows the image quality to be waxy almost DNR-ish. It tends to improve as the film runs - or perhaps I found it less noticeable. There are some striking sequences (Nelson Lik-wai Yu cinematography) and overall these visuals do look far superior than the older SD renderings. It is on a single-layered Blu-ray with a middling bitrate. It will never have texture or look film-like with the production process utilized. This is dark with rich colors that almost look embellished they are bordering on saturation.

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:
"Still Life, R2 BFI UK, is an anamorphic DVD-9, slight combing at places, not too bad. Optional subs.
Includes the companion documentary Dong, + Tony Rayns commentary. I also have the R3 Ying E Chi Hong Kong; this is non-anamorphic, hazyish (is that a word), combing visible, dual burned-in subs; it's not pretty.


I'd give it to the anamorphic BFI, but Yesasia also offers an anamorphic R3 Taewon Entertainment Korea-version, that I have not seen."

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. 

Gary W. Tooze

 

 



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 SECOND

3) 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 SECOND

3) 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 SECOND

3) 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 SECOND

3) 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 SECOND

3) 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




 

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