A Simple Noodle Story | |
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![]() Chinese release poster
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Directed by | Zhang Yimou |
Produced by | William Kong |
Screenplay by | Shi Jianquan Xue Jianchao |
Story by | Coen brothers |
Based on |
Blood Simple by Coen brothers |
Starring |
Sun Honglei Ni Dahong Xiaoshenyang Yan Ni |
Music by | Zhao Lin |
Cinematography | Zhao Xiaoding |
Edited by | Meng Peicong |
Production
company |
Beijing New Picture Co.
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Distributed by | EDKO Film |
Release date
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Running time
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90 minutes |
Country | China |
Language |
Mandarin English |
Budget | $12 million |
Box office | $38 million |
A Simple Noodle Story (simplified Chinese: 三枪拍案惊奇; traditional Chinese: 三槍拍案驚奇; pinyin: Sānqiāng Pāi'àn Jīngqí), internationally A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop. (Blood Simple in the UK) is a 2009 film directed by Zhang Yimou. It is inspired by Blood Simple, the 1984 debut of the Coen brothers, whose films Zhang Yimou lists as among his favorites. The film transports the original film's plot from a town in Texas to a noodle shop in a small desert town in Gansu province.
The film is a mixture of a thriller and screwball comedy. The film stars Sun Honglei, Ni Dahong in the thriller segment while comedians Xiaoshenyang and Yan Ni star in the comedic segment. The film has been described as a considerable departure from the director's previous works.
Set in a Chinese noodle shop in the desert, the restaurant owner plans to murder his adulterous wife and her lover.
Principal photography began in June 2009, and the film was released on December 11, 2009 in China.
The film made its international premiere in competition at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear.
The film received polarizing responses from audiences, with some noting the film's visual inventiveness and non-serious tone, while others criticized the film maker's use of slapstick humor and over-the-top style. Zhang revealed at the Berlinale that the Coen brothers had written to him after seeing a copy of the film, and expressed that they loved the changes made in this version.