Universal Pictures is delighted to announce the DVD release of the highly acclaimed, Oscar nominated Curse of the Golden Flower, available to own & rent on DVD and download-to-own from Monday 3rd September 2007. Starring Chow Yun Fat (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End; Crouching Tiger; Bulletproof Monk), Gong Li (Hannibal Rising; Memoirs of a Geisha; Miami Vice) and directed by Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers; Hero, Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles; Happy Times), this martial arts action epic includes some of the biggest battles scenes ever filmed and jaw dropping martial arts sequences. China AD928 and on the eve of the Chong Yang Festival, golden flowers fill the Imperial Palace. The Emperor (Chow Yun Fat) returns home along with his second son, Prince Jai (Jay Chou) to celebrate the holiday with his family, but frosty relations between him and the unwell Empress (Gong Li), suggest celebrating may not be on the menu. For many years, the Empress and her stepson Crown Prince Wan (Liu Ye) have been involved in an illicit affair but now feeling trapped, he wishes to escape the palace with his secret love Chan (Li Man) - the Imperial Doctor's daughter. Meanwhile, Prince Jai, the ever faithful son, grows worried over the Empress's health and her obsession with golden chrysanthemums. The Emperor hides secret plans, with the Imperial Doctor (Ni Dahong) being the only person aware of his plotting.
When the Emperor senses a looming threat, he relocates the doctor's family from the Palace to a remote area but while en route they are attacked by a group of mysterious assassins.
When Chan and her mother, Jiang Shi (Chen Jin) are forced back to the palace, their return sets off a tumultuous sequence of dark surprises and amid the glamour and grandeur of the festival, ugly secrets are revealed.
As the Royal Family continues its elaborate charade in a palatial setting, thousands of golden armored warriors suddenly charge the palace in one of the most spectacular battle sequences ever filmed.
Who is behind this brutal rebellion? Where do Prince Jai's loyalties lie? Between love and desire, is there a final winner?
This spectacular martial arts action epic has been nominated for 23 awards (including an Oscar for Achievement in Costume Design) and subsequently won 7 of the nominations. The sumptuous costumes and incredible martial arts sequences make this a must have for your DVD collection. CAST & CREW Chow Yun Fat - Emperor Ping Director - Zhang Yimou Gong Li - Empress Phoenix Producer William Kong Jay Chou - Prince Jai Producer - Weiping Zhang Ye Liu - Crown Prince Wan Producer - Yimou Zhang Dahong Ni - Imperial Physician Jiang Music - Shigeru Umebayashi Junjie Qin - Prince Yu Cinematography - Xiaoding Zhao Man Li - Jiang Chan Costume Design - Chung Man Yee Jin Chen - Mrs. Jiang