Devils On The Doorstep (DVD)

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---

"Devils" was met with much criticism from the always-watchful eye of the Chinese government. First, was the foul language that being the frequent mention of shall we say, someone who has sex with a turtle. Second, the nudity which amounted to one very brief scene with a topless Yu'Er. Their main critique, however, was that Jiang Wen did not make the Japanese evil enough and claimed he even tried to vilify his own people. What Jiang Wen did do was show a fair balance to all sides and that everyone can be capable of great compassion or horrendous cruelty. Shown at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, Jiang Wen picked up the Jury Grand Prize. Unfortunately, the Chinese government saw it differently and banned him from making another film for several years (although he was still able to act). Jiang Wen joins the club of fellow Chinese filmmakers who have been censured by their government. Fellow members include Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, and Tian Zhuangzhuang who's "The Blue Kite" got him banned for almost ten years. Luckily, he returned with 2002's "Springtime in a Small Town."

VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The picture looks great and it does the beautiful cinematography justice. Filmed in black and white, each shot is wonderfully composed and lit.

AUDIO:
The audio is presented in two tracks, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. The sound comes in clear for the dialogue-heavy film.

EXTRAS:
Sadly, the extras are somewhat lacking. We get a video introduction from Steven Soderbergh, who discusses the film and getting the chance to meet Jiang Wen when they served on the Cannes Jury together. There is also the usual theatrical trailer and liner notes.

FILM VALUE:
"Devils on the Doorstep" is many things. Humorous and upsetting. Beautiful and ugly. In the end, it is a touching tale about people thrown into a situation bigger than they could possibly handle. Swept up into a war made by someone else. Fans of Chinese cinema and films like "To Live" or "The Blue Kite" will not be disappointed.