If you are an aficionado of murder mysteries you will enjoy the film. A twist of clues with no obvious viewer conclusions to be made.
If you enjoy film noir there is almost enough stylistically here to merit slotting the film into that genre.
If you enjoy symbolism in film and subtle political criticism it is in the film.
An elderly woman with the nickname Granny Four is slashed in the neck in 1995 small town China. Her body is at the edge of a river. There are no witnesses to the murder. The only clue is a purse, not belonging to Granny, that contains a cassette tape with music but with a message from Qian Ling to her lover Hong. They are in an “illicit” relationship and the purse at the murder scene is Ling’s. And Ling admits to stumbling upon the deceased Granny but “ran off in terror”.
Then a hairdresser with a criminal record is a possible suspect.
And the obvious suspect, so you think, is The Madman who was adopted by Granny Four.
The local police chief Captain Ma (Hou Tianlai) assigns detective Ma Zhe (Yilong Zhu) to the case. Captain Ma is a ping pong obsessed loyal political cadre looking to boost the “collective morale” of his small force and is being pressured by his superiors for an arrest and he is being watched by the political and bureaucratic machine for a quick resolution.
Ma Zhe, a good cop through and through, doggedly pursues his case not comfortable with a quick arrest to satiate those “in power” who are watching the case.
As the investigation commenced the police force moved their headquarters into an abandoned cinema and they are hard at work “on the stage” investigating the murder. Yes indeed they are being watched by an audience that is pressuring for the happy ending of a quick conviction. All the police officers are also on the stage being pressured by Captain Ma to promptly file their merit applications.
The bureaucrats and party members are seen applauding the brave and diligent Ma Zhe who snags the murderer. Or did he? Could it be the bureaucrats are the winners in the big show. Is justice but a simple political inconvenience?
Very dark cinematography, incessant rain and diametrically opposed characters edge the film toward film noir but perhaps a hot babe and black and white cinematography would have conclusively edged the film into official film noir categorization.
Subtle jabs at the political and bureaucratic cadres in China.
Directed by Wei Shujun.
Theatrical release 1August2024 in Canada.
RKS 2024 Film Rating 90/100.
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