2018·Crime·2h 16m
7.1
★
Set in China's underworld, this tale of love and betrayal follows a dancer who fired a gun to protect her mobster boyfriend during a fight. On release from prison 5 years later, she sets out to find him.
Directed by Jia Zhangke
china
criminal underworld
mob boss
handgun
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Zhao Tao
Zhao Qiao
Liao Fan
Guo Bin
Diao Yinan
Lin Jiadong
Ding Jiali
Woman on Boat
Dong Zijian
Policeman in Fengjie
Xu Zheng
Man from Karamay
Zhang Yibai
First Man in Fengjie Restaurant
Zhang Yi
Second Man in Fengjie Restaurant
Feng Xiaogang
Feng Jiamei
Kang Kang
Crew
Jia Zhangke
Director
Jia Zhangke
Writer
Matthieu Laclau
Editor
Éric Gautier
Director of Photography
Shôzô Ichiyama
Producer
Ren Zhonglun
Executive Producer
Jia Zhangke
Executive Producer
Nathanaël Karmitz
Executive Producer
Elisha Karmitz
Executive Producer
Wang Zhongjun
Executive Producer
Zhu Weijie
Executive Producer
Wang Jinsong
Executive Producer
Popular Reviews
82 reviews
Buomilch
8.0★ · 06/07/26
The consequences of holding on to the past, the overwhelming force of a nations progress and what happens to those who are left behind by it.
An overly romanticized and genius first third completely overshadows and looms over the two following time-skips which aren’t less brilliant, just not as engaging and also intentionally more dull in their direction.
An overly romanticized and genius first third completely overshadows and looms over the two following time-skips which aren’t less brilliant, just not as engaging and also intentionally more dull in their direction.
The consequences of holding on to the past, the overwhelming force of a nations progress and what happens to those who are left behind by it.
An overly romanticized and genius first third completely overshadows and looms over the two following time-skips which aren’t less brilliant, just not as engaging and also intentionally more dull in their direction.
An overly romanticized and genius first third completely overshadows and looms over the two following time-skips which aren’t less brilliant, just not as engaging and also intentionally more dull in their direction.
rachel
8.0★ · 05/03/26
jir definisi i'll risk it all for you.
jir definisi i'll risk it all for you.
Nick
7.0★ · 10/25/25
So first things first, this is my first zhangke movie so i scrolled through his filmography and unexpectedly i see that in the span of 20-30 years he and the protagonist (Zhao Tao) work together? Kinda cool, i added some of them.
So first things first, this is my first zhangke movie so i scrolled through his filmography and unexpectedly i see that in the span of 20-30 years he and the protagonist (Zhao Tao) work together? Kinda cool, i added some of them.
Kevju
7.0★ · 10/19/25
Past Lives, but make it more raw, rough and unforgiving.
Chinese slow cinema that is just so beautiful and meditative to watch. The fact that my parent’s hometown is close to the area(s) where this movie takes place makes it all the more special to me. I’d genuinely be curious to see how my parents would react to this depiction of relationships juxtaposed against changing landscapes and the passage of time as a country modernizes and cultural values shift.
Chinese slow cinema that is just so beautiful and meditative to watch. The fact that my parent’s hometown is close to the area(s) where this movie takes place makes it all the more special to me. I’d genuinely be curious to see how my parents would react to this depiction of relationships juxtaposed against changing landscapes and the passage of time as a country modernizes and cultural values shift.
Past Lives, but make it more raw, rough and unforgiving.
Chinese slow cinema that is just so beautiful and meditative to watch. The fact that my parent’s hometown is close to the area(s) where this movie takes place makes it all the more special to me. I’d genuinely be curious to see how my parents would react to this depiction of relationships juxtaposed against changing landscapes and the passage of time as a country modernizes and cultural values shift.
Chinese slow cinema that is just so beautiful and meditative to watch. The fact that my parent’s hometown is close to the area(s) where this movie takes place makes it all the more special to me. I’d genuinely be curious to see how my parents would react to this depiction of relationships juxtaposed against changing landscapes and the passage of time as a country modernizes and cultural values shift.
George S
8.0★ · 10/01/25
The first half of this was a beautiful portrait of 2000s Chinese life in a third tier city and how fast it changed. Saw so much of my own extended family in the characters and dialogue (less crime lmao). The scenery and dialogue brought back childhood memories I had genuinely forgotten. Eric Gautier also did a wonderful job.
Unfortunately, felt the final act was a drag. I understand why it was made, and understand it was intentionally designed to be disorienting, but damn it dampened some of the great themes from the first 2 acts. It also got painfully explicit - I get time moves fast - I don't need to see 3 Huawei closeups, or hear someone say 'add me on WeChat'.
I also understand Jia Zhangke needs to work within government boundaries, but I felt the 'change' to Chinese society at times could have been a lot more nuanced. The core theme of technology and falling behind is a pretty universal experience. There are amazing themes of culture and society here that were danced around that could have made this a generational film.
Unfortunately, felt the final act was a drag. I understand why it was made, and understand it was intentionally designed to be disorienting, but damn it dampened some of the great themes from the first 2 acts. It also got painfully explicit - I get time moves fast - I don't need to see 3 Huawei closeups, or hear someone say 'add me on WeChat'.
I also understand Jia Zhangke needs to work within government boundaries, but I felt the 'change' to Chinese society at times could have been a lot more nuanced. The core theme of technology and falling behind is a pretty universal experience. There are amazing themes of culture and society here that were danced around that could have made this a generational film.
The first half of this was a beautiful portrait of 2000s Chinese life in a third tier city and how fast it changed. Saw so much of my own extended family in the characters and dialogue (less crime lmao). The scenery and dialogue brought back childhood memories I had genuinely forgotten. Eric Gautier also did a wonderful job.
Unfortunately, felt the final act was a drag. I understand why it was made, and understand it was intentionally designed to be disorienting, but damn it dampened some of the great themes from the first 2 acts. It also got painfully explicit - I get time moves fast - I don't need to see 3 Huawei closeups, or hear someone say 'add me on WeChat'.
I also understand Jia Zhangke needs to work within government boundaries, but I felt the 'change' to Chinese society at times could have been a lot more nuanced. The core theme of technology and falling behind is a pretty universal experience. There are amazing themes of culture and society here that were danced around that could have made this a generational film.
Unfortunately, felt the final act was a drag. I understand why it was made, and understand it was intentionally designed to be disorienting, but damn it dampened some of the great themes from the first 2 acts. It also got painfully explicit - I get time moves fast - I don't need to see 3 Huawei closeups, or hear someone say 'add me on WeChat'.
I also understand Jia Zhangke needs to work within government boundaries, but I felt the 'change' to Chinese society at times could have been a lot more nuanced. The core theme of technology and falling behind is a pretty universal experience. There are amazing themes of culture and society here that were danced around that could have made this a generational film.