JU DOU
The film takes place at a dye mill in ancient rural China, where long strips of fabric are dyed in red and yellow tones. The images are fantastic, and I have enjoyed watching the leading actress, played by Gong Li, in many movies. In this film, she is married to the old color master who is a beast, violent and an oddball. The adopted nephew of the color master receives work at the dye mill and falls in love with his uncle’s beautiful young wife. They begin an erotic, secretive and very intensive relationship that leads to a child, of which the old color master naturally believes that he is the father. The film is full of passion, drama and violent events, which in some way is quite the contrast to the bright, colorful sweater that this film inspired me to design. But life is never black and white, and the film is so colorful that I had to begin with the whole palette.
Director: Zhang Yimou
Date of Release: 1990
Music: Zhao Jiping, who also composed the music of many other films starring Gong Li. Most striking are the haunting flutes, the crisp drums and the delicate vocals. Full of beauty – but with this music comes drama, which we experience with the main characters of the film, and which also come to a head.
FILM COLLECTION
Marianne Isager’s Film Collection contains models inspired by Marianne’s favorite movies. You can see the entire Film Collection here: https://isagerstrik.dk/en/film-collection/
Design: Marianne Isager