To Live
Fugui's (Ge You) gambling leads him to lose everything, including his wife, Jiazhen (Gong Li), and his home. Over the following decades, he struggles to live as a peasant. He tries joining a theater troupe, and then he enlists in the Chinese army in hopes of being a good citizen. Yet, just as things get better -- and Jiazhen and their baby daughter return to him -- the Cultural Revolution begins and tragedy continues to strike his family. Despite numerous hardships, Fugui never gives up hope.
The 4K restoration of To Live was carried out by the Udine Far East Film Festival on the occasion of its 26th edition and carried out from the original image and sound negatives. The restoration was made in 2024 at Taipei Post Production Lab in collaboration with L'Immagine Ritrovata (Hong Kong - Bologna).
Director & Cast
- Director: Zhang Yimou
- Starring: Ge You
- Starring: Gong Li
Where to Watch
Trailer
Photos
Reviews
- "“To Live” is a simple title, but it conceals a universe."
- "In two magnificent performances, Gong Li carries the story's emotions and Ge You the weight of history. Gong Li is, as always, a powerful heroine. But Mr. Ge is a revelation, evoking sympathy and pity as a man whose weakness causes him to bend like a reed in the changing winds of Chinese politics and whose strength allows him to endure the consequences."
- "To Live is as emotionally involving as a great soap. Zhang, the masterful director of The Story of Qiu Ju, Raise the Red Lantern, and Ju Dou, once again demonstrates his talent for composing strong visual tableaux [and] his ability to draw powerful performances from his stars."
- "Spellbinding... a masterpiece!"
- "Two thumbs up! One of the best films of the year."
- ""To Live" grows progressively in meaning and resonance as it develops. Highly recommended."
- "“To Live,” which has been gloriously photographed by Lu Ye, is a remarkable accomplishment, spanning many years with both vibrant passion and absolute conviction. It is the most straightforward of all of Zhang’s films, and its simplicity of style serves perfectly its great themes, which are timeless and universal."
Jury Grand Prize
Cannes Film Festival
Best Actor
Cannes Film Festival
Best Film not in the English Language
BAFTA Awards
Top Five Foreign Language Film
National Board of Review, USA
Palme d'Or
Cannes Film Festival
Best Foreign Language Film
Golden Globes, USA
New York Film Festival