King of the Children (1987) (WCL Exclusive #21) (Scanavo case) [China]

[ksosk]

MP GROUP BUY HERE

 

Release date: TBA

Price: 328 CNY

 

 

A classic by Chen Kaige

 

Synopsis: An unschooled young man, one of the countless victims of Mao's Cultural Revolution, is labouring in the countryside when he is suddenly assigned to teach in a near-by village school. Gradually, he finds the confidence to ditch the Maoist textbook and encourage the barely literate kids to write about their own lives and feelings. At the same time, through a series of dream-like meetings with a young cowherd, he begins to sense the possibilities of a life beyond the parameters of traditional education. Directed by Chen Kaige.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• NEW 2K RESTORATION from Xi'an Film Studio
• Hallucinatory Sounds of the Past History: Tony Rayns on King of the Children
• Uncompressed Mandarin mono track
• Newly translated optional English subtitles for the main feature
• Booklet, shooting script and postcards
• Limited Edition with custom packaging
• REGION-FREE

[huseyin]

@ksosk your posts for this and Black Canon have made my day!

[ksosk]

These will be very foreign for most members but I am glad you love them, @huseyin!

[cf408510]

Excited to see this!  Early Chen Kaige and supposedly stunning Yunnan landscapes means this is a must-have for me.

[extantsrevenge]

Beauty Shot

 

 

Our Group Buy for this WCL release will start soon, be sure to secure your copy while you can. Spread the word to your fellow collectors that Media Psychos is the place to secure these releases.

[huseyin]

When will groupbuy be open?

[extantsrevenge]

53 minutes ago, huseyin said:

When will groupbuy be open?

The Group Buy is now open ☺️

[Terje Iversen]

I love the films of Chen Kaige. Have not seen this one, so this is indeed excellent news.

[DarthEd]

The Blu-ray has English subtitles, right?

[Scary Hair]

2 hours ago, DarthEd said:

The Blu-ray has English subtitles, right?

 

@ksosk @huseyin

 

When you can please advise PLEASE 🤗❤

[ksosk]

13 minutes ago, Scary Hair said:

 

@ksosk @huseyin

 

When you can please advise PLEASE 🤗❤

@DarthEd Yes there is eng sub

 

[huseyin]

4 hours ago, Scary Hair said:

 

@ksosk @huseyin

 

When you can please advise PLEASE 🤗❤

Yes it’s a classic! All I’m saying is that this could be one of the best releases of the year

[ksosk]

WCL 《King of the Children》 Design Journal

 

King of the Children is the fourth collaboration between Diskino and artist '朝享者' (Chao Xiang Zhe) for their Asian films remastered series. Like the previous three releases, there is only an old original poster art image available.

 

Initially, the concept was to follow the style of the successful Red Sorghum design, using illustrations that reflect the details of the film. It was an extremely difficult process for KotC, mainly due to the lack of available art from the studio. Hence, the first draft (below) is that of the vintage paper (as seen in the film) with the original movie poster art.

 

With that, more creative concepts begin to develop such as the window panel concept (below).

 

After some consideration, the artist began a different approach - one that focuses on the vast space often depicted in the film against scaled-down characters. He has always

excel in such illustrations and soon, these designs are developed.

 

 

However, Chao still feels that the designs lack a soul in its core.

What he soon found interesting is that in the film, the four seasons are heavily featured from the start to the end with the sunrise and sunset.

Hence, the next design concept was developed.

 

This design was very well-received, but there was no clear focus on how to continue this style throughout the whole packaging.

 

There were a lot of graffitis featured in the film. Chao wanted to try and incorporate that into his designs. He converted some crucial scenes in the film

into cartoon-art.

 

 

Diskino loves it!

Immediately, these are used as the cards included with the release.

 

Part 1 of 2

Translated by ksosk

[ksosk]

After several more concept merging drafts, this design was developed.

 

Further development into the Spring, Autumn, Winter, Summer concept.

 

Eventually, a concept was finalised.

A contrasted-reflection style art - one that breaks the dull and conventional style of the previous drafts.

 

A simple layout that allows a summer-themed design to also convey a spring vibe. By placing a character upside-down into the hut makes for an interesting illustration.

 

Final beauty shot

 

 

Finally, four designs were produced to reflect the four seasons.

 

After showing to a group of appraisers, some feedback the similarity to Terry Gilliam's Tideland movie poster art.

Before we end this journal, Chao wishes to express his sincere apology if anyone feels offended by the similarity. It is purely

coincidental and the KofC designs took quite a lengthy period for completion.

 

Nevertheless, Diskino wishes to share with their supporters this great journey to producing the King of the Children and hopes that

each time you look at the release, you can experience the whole process too.

 

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Part 2 of 2

Translated by ksosk

[ksosk]

THIS IS NEXT ON THE RELEASE LIST!

DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GROUP BUY.

[extantsrevenge]

A little Update Slip 👍

 

[wmcguire18]

Damn, just missed it. 

[ksosk]

Live shots. Images courtesy of a Chinese collector!