Black Coal, Thin Ice
aka Bai ri yan huo
First screened in October 2014
Director: Diao Yinan. Cast: Liao Fan, Gwei Lun Mei, Wang Xuebing, Wang Jingchun, Yu Ailei, Ni Jingyang. Screenplay: Diao Yinan.

Twitter Capsule: A noir both classic and eccentric. A knife set in jewel tones. A dark poem on the Chinese circulatory system.

VOR:   A satisfying story, even better appreciated as a series smart ideas regarding direction (color, tempo, scene construction, arc) and for clever, cross-cultural updates on an old genre.



Photo © 2014 Contrast Film/Wolfe Video

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B+


Awards:
Berlin International Film Festival: Golden Bear (Best Picture); Best Actor (Liao)

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