It is a remake of Blood Simple, the 1984 debut of the Coen brothers, whose films Zhang Yimou lists as among his favorites.
This film has been compared, in concept, to two films by the Coen brothers: Blood Simple (1985) and No Country for Old Men (2007).
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He supported the Coen brothers directorial debut through several titles such as, Blood Simple, Barton Fink (Awarded at the Academy Awards and Cannes Film Festival's Golden Palm & Cannes Film Festival's Best Director award), and Miller's crossing (San Sebastián International Film's Best Director award).
Other influences are Robert Altman’s earlier works, Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and other American independent films from the 70s and 80s, including the Coen brothers’ Blood Simple.