A Confucian Confusion / Mahjong: Two Films by Edward Yang (1994-1996)

[MifuneFan]

Criterion will be releasing a 2-Film Edward Yang set, which includes A Confucian Confusion (1994), and Mahjong (1996) on Blu-ray in August!

A Confucian Confusion / Mahjong: Two Films by Edward Yang

https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/81...by-edward-yang

TWO-BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restorations, with 5.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks
• Excerpts of director Edward Yang speaking after a 1994 screening of A Confucian Confusion
• New interview with editor Chen Po-wen
• New conversation between Chinese-cultural-studies scholar Michael Berry and film critic Justin Chang
• Performance of Yang’s 1992 play Likely Consequence
• PLUS: An essay by film programmer and critic Dennis Lim and a 1994 director’s note on A Confucian Confusion

New cover by Tori Huynh

A Confucian Confusion

Edward Yang’s first foray into comedy may have been a surprising stylistic departure, but in its richly novelistic vision of urban discontent, it is quintessential Yang. This relationship roundelay centers on a coterie of young Taipei professionals whose paths converge at an entertainment company where the boundaries between art and commerce, love and business, have become hopelessly blurred. Evoking the chaos of a city infiltrated by Western chains, logos, and attitudes, A Confucian Confusion is an incisive reflection on the role of traditional values in a materialistic, amoral society.

Mahjong

Edward Yang’s follow-up to A Confucian Confusion is another dizzying comedy set in a globalized Taipei, but with a darker, more caustic edge. Amid a rapidly changing cityscape, the lives of a disparate group of swindlers, hustlers, gangsters, and expats collide, with a naive French teenager (Virginie Ledoyen) and a sensitive young local (Lawrence Ko) who tries to protect her caught dangerously in the middle. By turns brutal, shocking, tender, and bitingly funny, Mahjong is a dazzling vision of a multicultural Taipei where nearly every relationship has a price and newfound prosperity comes at the expense of the human soul

[Rizor]

Haven't seen these, but "A Confucian Confusion" is a great title.

[benricci]

More Taiwanese new wave is always welcome. These are the two remaining Yang films I’ve yet to see, so I can’t wait. I rarely blind buy now but this may be an exception considering my admiration of the director.

[MovieBuff647]

Was thinking Eureka or Radiance might've secured the UK rights to these, but it looks like Criterion is putting this out in the UK too: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9PT3L...f_=as_li_ss_tl

[ThePlushyMan]

Originally Posted by MovieBuff647

Was thinking Eureka or Radiance might've secured the UK rights to these, but it looks like Criterion is putting this out in the UK too: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9PT3L...f_=as_li_ss_tl

Makes sense because the two other Yang Criterions (Yi Yi and Brighter Summer Day) are also available in the UK.

Also it says that the “Likely Consequence” play is on here as a bonus. Isn’t that the same one on the Summer Day blu-ray? Unless if it is possibly a new performance based off the videotaped 1992 play.

[Imthebat]

I adore Edward Yang. This release is one of my most anticipated. Maybe we'll get a Blu-ray for That Day, on the Beach one of these days.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Imthebat

I adore Edward Yang. This release is one of my most anticipated. Maybe we'll get a Blu-ray for That Day, on the Beach one of these days.

Nova Media from Korea released it on Blu-Ray.

https://novamnm.com/product/that-day.../86/display/1/

[Imthebat]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

Nova Media from Korea released it on Blu-Ray.

https://novamnm.com/product/that-day.../86/display/1/

I imported Taipei Story, Terrorizers, and In Our Time from Nova, I should probably get that one as well.

[llj]

These are apparently considered "minor" Yang but they look intriguing nonetheless. Virginie Ledoyen in all her 90sness being directed by Edward Yang! How can I not be intrigued?

[Sommerswerd]

DVDBeaver review: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/subsite/fil...ng_blu-ray.htm