Zhang Yimou sets out to remake Coen Bros’ ‘Blood Simple’

Here’s an interesting piece of movie news. In fact, I had a similar yet slightly more positive reaction to this news than I did learning that Werner Herzog is remaking BAD LIEUTENANT. As it turns out, one of my favorite directors is remaking my favorite filmmaking brothers’ first film BLOOD SIMPLE. The Coen Brothers transitioned from shorts to their first feature-length film with BLOOD SIMPLE in 1984.

The original stars John Getz as Ray and a young Frances McDormand as Abby, a couple in love who are trying to escape the evil clutches of Abby’s wealthy but jealous husband Julian, played by Dan Hedaya. In an effort to quench his disturbed curiosity and know for sure if his wife is cheating, Julian hires an unscrupulous private investigator, played by M. Emmet Walsh.

Zhang Yimou, a much celebrated filmmaker in China, isn’t nearly as well-known in the States but a couple of his films are. Yimou directed the HERO and HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, the two closely released Jet Li fantasy/martial arts epics that received rave, yet mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. However, his best films are those not so well known in the States, such as SHANGHAI TRIAD, RAISE THE RED LANTERN and JU DOU.

His last major release in the US was CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER in 2006 starring Chow Yun-Fat and Li Gong. Normally, I would be crying foul to learn that someone is remaking a Coen Brothers film, but given it’s being remade as a Chinese-language film by an extremely talented and respected filmmaker, I’m totally cool about it. Besides, I imagine Joel and Ethan are thrilled and see this as a great honor.

Source: Hollywood Reporter