‘Early Hou Hsiao-Hsien: Three Films 1980-1983’ [Masters of Cinema] on Blu-ray April 16, 2018! at Why So Blu?

‘Early Hou Hsiao-Hsien: Three Films 1980-1983’ [Masters of Cinema] on Blu-ray April 16, 2018!

February 8th, 2018 by Gerard Iribe

One of world cinema s most dynamic and highly regarded auteurs, Hou Hsiao-hsien has influenced entire generations of filmmakers and was once dubbed one of the three directors most crucial to the future of cinema . The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present three films from early in his career, Cute Girl, The Green, Green Grass of Home and The Boys from Fengkuei, all making their worldwide debut on Blu-ray. Eureka Entertainment to release Early Hou Hsiao-Hsien: Three Films 1980-1983 (Cute Girl / The Green, Green Grass of Home / The Boys From Fengkuei), a two disc set of formative films by one of world cinema’s greatest directors, on Blu-ray for the first time anywhere in the world from 16 April 2018, as part of The Masters of Cinema Series featuring a Limited Edition O-card [First 2000 copies only].

An essential collection of early films from one of the figureheads of Taiwanese Cinema

Cute Girl (1980) A young bride-to-be falls for a laid-back land surveyor whilst visiting her family in the countryside. Conceived as a commercial vehicle for popular Hong Kong singer Kenny Bee, this romantic comedy was Hou Hsiao-hsien s debut feature.

The Green, Green Grass of Home (1982) A substitute teacher (again played by Kenny Bee) moves to a remote village, where he falls in love with another teacher at the local school.

The Boys from Fengkuei (1983) Three young men leave their fishing village for the city to look for work, where they face some harsh realities about growing up. The film which established Hou Hsiao-hsien as a leading figure of the Taiwanese New Wave, The Boys from Fengkuei was rapturously received in Europe and is often considered the director s first mature masterwork.

Limited Edition O-card [2000 copies First Print Run Only]
1080p presentations of all three films, across two Blu-ray discs
Uncompressed LPCM audio
Optional English subtitles
Video essays on all three films by Adrian Martin and Cristina Álvarez López
A collector s booklet featuring a new essay by Phillip Kemp

Review

The Green, Green Grass Home is the most nuanced, fulfilling, and recognizably HHH-esque of these early commercial works –The Cinematheque

The film (The Boys From Fengkuei) retains a real freshness and charm –Time Out

Hou, appearing on the scene like a miracle, was the great Chinese filmmaker that had always been lacking. I thought that one day, perhaps, he would also be the most important Chinese filmmaker, which is manifestly what has happened. –Oliver Assayas

DETAILS:

Label: Eureka!

Title| EARLY HOU HSIAO-HSIEN: THREE FILMS 1980-1983 (CUTE GIRL / THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME / THE BOYS FROM FENGKUEI) [Masters of Cinema] Blu-ray

Director| HOU HSIAO-HSIEN

Blu-ray Cat. No.| EKA70293

Blu-ray Barcode| 5060000702934

Blu-ray RRP| £27.99

Release Date| 16 Apr 2018

Certificate| 15 (TBC)

Run Time| 282 minutes (combined)

OAR| 2.35:1 / 1.85:1 OAR

Picture| Colour

Genre| Drama / World Cinema

Year| 1980-83

Country| Taiwan

Language| MANDARIN

Subtitles| ENGLISH (Optional)