Release The Flowers of War

1 release

1.1 box office

1.1.1 china


1.2 critical reaction
1.3 accolades
1.4 home media

release

on november 22, 2011, new pictures film requested inflation in minimum ticket price within china. when in negotiations 8 cinema circuits in question, resulted in threat boycott movie on distributors share. wu hehu, general manager of shanghai united cinema circuit, made statement, saying “this simple business situation. without agreement, cannot screen film. zhang weiping, producer of flowers of war , head of new pictures film, refused make concessions. letter sent film bureau of sarft, hoping mediate dispute. @ order of sarft, both sides reach compromise, achieved after 4 hours of negotiation.

box office
china

the flowers of war released in china days after 74th anniversary of nanking massacre. in first 4 days of release, took in $24 million @ box office. top-grossing chinese film of 2011, having earned $70 million after 2 weeks. after 17 days, movie had grossed $83 million, making sixth-highest-grossing film in china, following american exports such transformers: revenge of fallen ($145.5 million) , avatar ($204 million). after 5 weeks of release movie earned $93 million. film reportedly earned $95 million in china.

critical reaction

the movie received mixed reviews. rotten tomatoes reported 42% critical approval rating average of 5.5/10. metacritic, review aggregator, assigned film average score of 46 (out of 100) based on 22 reviews mainstream critics.

twitch film called arguably eagerly-anticipated chinese movie of year , saying flowers of war big movie in every sense of word, kinetic battle scenes beautiful photography , impressive performances young , inexperienced cast. pete hammond boxoffice magazine gave 4 stars of 5, , said flowers of war inspiring, stirring , unforgettable human drama in face of horrifying war. highly recommended. variety gave positive review, describing film uniquely harrowing account of rape of nanjing, , defined work of garish dramatic flourishes yet undeniable emotional power, finding humor , heartbreak in tale of unlikely heroism in close quarters. andrew pulver describes new dawn in china-hollywood co-operation , arguing ambitious war film zhang yimou attempt turn revolting aftermath of 1937 japanese assault on nanjing globally friendly, putatively inspiring epic aims underscore , china s geopolitical mutual respect.

most negative feedback critics similar toronto star, gave film 2.5/4, , said drama weakened penchant creating spectacles. roger ebert, gave film 2 out of 4 stars, took issue making story white american, can think of reason character john miller needed tell story? consideration given possibility of chinese priest? asking much?

accolades

home media

the flowers of war released on blu-ray disc , dvd on june 10, 2012.