In Tangshan in 1976, two seven-year-old twins lie buried under the rubble of a devastating earthquake. The rescue team explains to their mother, Li Yuanni that freeing either child will almost certainly result in the death of the other. Forced to make the most difficult decision of her life, she finally chooses to save her son Fang Da, the male twin. Although left for dead, the female twin, Fang Deng miraculously survives for several more days before being pulled clear of the wreckage by another rescue team who believe that she has succumbed to the terrible disaster. As she wakes up in the pouring rain, suffering from the emotional shocks of the disaster and the painful memory of her mother's choice, Fang Deng decides to hide her true identity from the world and begins an emotional journey which will take her across the globe and force her to confront demons within herself.
A rare example of a Chinese film with the potential to become an international hit, Xiaogang Feng's Aftershock (Tangshan dadizhen) has already grossed over $100 million worldwide (approximately four times its estimated budget) and is the first non-US feature to be shot for IMAX screens.
Aftershock will be released on UK DVD on 27th December 2010 by Metrodome at the RRP of £19.99. Somewhat disappointingly, given that the film was inspired by the 1976 Great Tangshan earthquake, there are no extra features.
|