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The Story of Qiu Ju | 
 enlarge | Director: Yimou Zhang
Actors: Li Gong, Peiqi Liu, Liuchun Yang, Quesheng Lei, Zhijun Ge
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.94
Buy New: $12.94
You Save: $7.00 (35%)
New (10) Used (3) from $12.94
Rating:  40 reviews
Sales Rank: 15132
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: Cantonese (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Chinese (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 100
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 14112
UPC: 043396141124
EAN: 0043396141124
ASIN: B000EAT23M
Theatrical Release Date: April 16, 1993
Release Date: March 28, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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Product Description
A humorous fable of justice that traverses shot in the north of China. Gong Li plays Qiu Ju a tenacious farmer determined to right a wrong done to her husband. Defying all stereotypes of the passive Chinese woman she remains unbowed by the frustrations of bureaucracy in her quixotic search for dignity.System Requirements:Run Time: 100 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: FOREIGN/LATIN Rating: PG UPC: 043396141124 Manufacturer No: 14112
Amazon.com
The kick is never shown, but the entire film is based around it. It's winter in the remote Shaanxi province. Pregnant Qiu Ju (Gong Li, 2046) is married to laidback farmer Qinglai (Liu Pei Qi). When village chief Wang (Lei Lao Sheng) kicks him during an argument, she sets out to ensure that her husband receives medical attention--and justice. Clad in a bulky jacket, face partially obscured by a thick scarf, the strong-willed woman, joined by sister-in-law Meizi (Yang Liu Chun), travels far and wide to find someone who can coerce Wang to apologize (she asked, he refused). All agree the chief was in the wrong, but each authority with whom she meets hands her off to another. Along the way, the couple is offered financial compensation (for medical care and lost wages), but an apology is as elusive as a dragonfly in December. Taking cues from both Frank Capra (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) and Vittorio De Sica (Bicycle Thieves), Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers) presents modern-day China as a country where bureaucrats run the show and the citizens--especially the women--must suffer the consequences. Fortunately, some are more persistent than others, and The Story of Qiu Ju is far from tragic. Just as their fifth pairing represents one of Yimou's rare contemporary efforts, the dressed-down title character is also an anomaly for Li, his real-life love at the time. The risk paid off and the result is one of their most cherished collaborations. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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| Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...
 This is a wonderful, realistic film about modern rural China November 14, 2008
I have seen this film many times and have used it to teach American high school students about rural China today. When I first saw it, I thought the story was funny, quirky and well acted, especially by Gong Li. Now that I have been to China several times (not in tour groups) and have had a chance to see some of rural China shown my by my new Chinese friends, I can appreciate how well Zhang Yimou has portrayed both the rural countryside and the bureaucracy that runs China today. It seems that everywhere you go in China today, there are large numbers of people in uniforms acting official. In many cases I had no idea what their duties were. In this film the government offices always seem full of people petitioning the government for something, just as is Qiu Ju. Gong's portrayal of her is so laid back and unglamorous that she seems very real. I credit her acting skills with carrying the part off so well,so far as it is from her normal roles. This film makes you laugh a lot, but also just stare in wonder as the Chinese countryside and cities roll out before Qiu Ju- and you. The wonderful repetition of the bicycle ride out of her village on every new trip is a great image, the equivalent of saying "here we go again!" This movie is worth renting, but after you do so, you may want to buy it, as I did.
 A Glimpse of Rural China February 18, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I liked "The Story of Qui Ju" bacause it was a nice story about a woman in rural China who wants simple justice. Her efforts to rectify an embarassing wrong done to her husband expands to a point beyond anyone's expectation. The beauty of the movie is in the process and determination of Qui Ju to receive satisfaction. The characters are very well presented (especially the title character). The view we get of life in China is outstanding. As much as I enjoyed this movie, however, I have seen too many greater movies to give this a "5 Star" rating. It IS a nice rainy-day film, though.
Sometimes you get what you wanted... January 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Qiu Ju wants the town's chief to explain why he kicked her husband in the family jewels. She does not want money or even justice. She wants to know WHY he kicked her husband and she wants an apology. The whole movie is her climb up the ladder of law, trying again and again to just get what she wants. A simple answer and an apology. In the end she kind of wins but she also loses. Right when you think there is going to be a happy ending, kind of, the authorities finally take things seriously and mess it all up. Will she and the chief and the town ever get along?
 I guess I have a lot to learn.... January 6, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This movie was dull. I'm sorry, but it was for me. However, before writing a review I was hesitant to write at all, I read the reviews and realized how uneducated I am in many aspects of film and realized much of what I was blind to in my urgency to have some plot development.
I understood the point the movie set out to make, it isn't a deep one. That's part of the whole issue with me...the movie is practically a documentary and moves slowly and methodically towards its stupor awakening surprise ending. The study of China is fascinating to be sure and I get the human side of the story. However, I found myself getting frustrated that so little was happening and that the title character was so maddeningly stubborn. Oddly enough, I dreamt of the movie all night long and was amazed at how it had crept into my subconscious so deeply.
On the plus side, the performances are perfect and the travel documentary of China, from the pristine snowy farms to the bustling gray and indifferent city is worth watching.
I advise someone to be patient, bring an open mind, and seek out the things you might rarely look for in a movie. In that, you might well enjoy it better than I did.
"The Story of Qui Ju" Tells of Driven Justice December 12, 2007
Gong Li plays Qui Ju who is the pregnant wife of a farmer who grows peppers for a living. Qui Ju's husband goes to the "leader" of the village to ask permission to build a shed in which to dry their peppers to prepare them for market. When the leader of the village says "no" to Qui Ju's husband, he insults the leader of the village by saying that he "can only have girl children!" That infuriates the leader of the village and he kicks Qui Ju's husband in his "private parts" which leaves him laid up in bed for weeks. Qui Ju is outraged that the leader of the village kicked him there and goes on numerous trips to law authorities for justice. "The Story of Qui Ju" is an outstanding illustration of tenacity for justice and the ending will surprise you. Gong Li shines!!
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