A Brighter Summer Day / Gu ling jie shao nian sha ren shi jian (1991) [Criterion Collection]

Director: Edward Yang
Writers: Hung Hung, Mingtang Lai
Stars: Chen Chang, Lisa Yang, Kuo-Chu Chang

Among the most praised and sought-after titles in all contemporary film, this singular masterpiece of Taiwanese cinema, directed by Edward Yang, finally comes to home video in the United States. Set in the early sixties in Taiwan, A Brighter Summer Day is based on the true story of a crime that rocked the nation. A film of both sprawling scope and tender intimacy, this novelistic, patiently observed epic centers on the gradual, inexorable fall of a young teenager (Chen Chang, in his first role) from innocence to juvenile delinquency, and is set against a simmering backdrop of restless youth, rock and roll, and political turmoil.






Extras DVD1:
- Commentary - in this new audio commentary, film critic Tony Rayns discusses in great detail key motifs of the rather complex plot of A Brighter Summer Day, the history of the feud between the two big gangs as well as the relationships between the principal characters, the socio-political climate in Taiwan and the impact American pop culture has on the gang members, the real murder case that inspired the film, Edward Yang's legacy and directing style, the new Taiwan cinema, etc. Tony Rayns also reads various bits from letters Edward Yang wrote years ago. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2014.
- Chang Chen - in this brand new video interview, Chang Chen, who made his acting debut in A Brighter Summer Day, discusses the impact the film had on his life and career, the shooting process and his interactions with director Edward Yang, the period atmosphere the film recreates and the identities of the major characters, etc. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2014.






Extras DVD2:
- Commentary - in this new audio commentary, film critic Tony Rayns discusses in great detail key motifs of the rather complex plot of A Brighter Summer Day, the history of the feud between the two big gangs as well as the relationships between the principal characters, the socio-political climate in Taiwan and the impact American pop culture has on the gang members, the real murder case that inspired the film, Edward Yang's legacy and directing style, the new Taiwan cinema, etc. Tony Rayns also reads various bits from letters Edward Yang wrote years ago. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2014.
- Likely Consequence - presented here is an archival recording of a play cowritten and directed by Edward Yang. The play blends social satire and comedy and incorporates some major themes that are present in the director's films. It was staged on March 20, 1992 in Taipei.





Extras DVD3:
- Our Time, Our Story - this excellent documentary film takes a closer at the socio-cultural environment in Taiwan after the Civil War and the emergence and history of the New Taiwan Cinema movement. Included in it are interviews with directors Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Ko Yi-Cheng and Tsai Ming-Liang, actors Li Li-Chun and Sylvia Chang, and film critic Lan Tsu-Wei, amongst others. The film was produced by Hsiao Chu-Chan in 2002.





All thanks to the original uploader