A One Mann’s Movies review of “Only the River Flows” (2023) (from the London Film Festival).
Original Chinese Title: 河边的错屋 (He bian de cuo wu)
One of the joys of the three weeks of movie-fest that is the London Film Festival is that the multiple films you have watched in September drip-feed out into UK cinemas during the following year. This is one example… the Chinese film “Only the River Flows” which I saw the premiere of in London’s West End but which has this week released nationwide. As such, I’m republishing my post from the LFF below.
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I attended the UK premiere showing of this one introduced by the director himself, Shujun Wei (see the video below the trailer). This is a film noir, Chinese-style. I enjoyed the experience, but frankly found it very difficult to follow. But I’ll admit that this may be down to it being in the evening after a very early start and my fourth feature film of the day!!
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Police inspector Ma Zhe (Yilong Zhu) is tasked with investigating the murder of an old lady, known locally as “Granny 4” after her mutilated body is found near a river. Suspicion falls on a number of characters, including a mentally ill “madman” (who Granny 4 used to look after) and a hairdresser who kind of wants to be arrested! Ma Zhe’s stress is ramped up not only by the pressure to solve the case by his boss (Tianlai Hou), but by concerns over his unborn child. He starts to lose his grip on what is real and what isn’t.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: NR. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong bloody images. violence”).
Talent:
Starring: Yilong Zhu, Chloe Maayan, Tianlai Hou, Tong Lin Kai.
Directed by: Shujun Wei.
Written by: Chunlei Kang & Shujun Wei. (Based on the book “Mistake by the river” by Hua Yu.)
Twitter Handle: #OnlyTheRiverFlows.
Ma Zhe (Yilong Zhu) having some difficult discussions with his pregnant wife Bai Jie (Chloe Maayan). (Source: MK2 Films).
“Only the River Flows” Review:
Positives:
- The Chinese take of film noir is interesting to observe. All the elements are there: tormented investigator, dark deeds, pouring rain, but given a distinct twist.
- It’s intriguing that the new police station is the local cinema that has now closed. It closed because “no one goes there any more”, which is hopefully not a bleak statement on the state of Chinese cinema audiences!
- I was surprised that there was an element of cross-dressing in the film. This article says that “in China during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), it was a capital offense for “a man to masquerade in women’s attire.””. I think the situation is complex but changing in China, but it was still a surprise to see the topic raised in a Chinese-produced film.
- There is a genuinely good jump-scare at one point in the film that – yes – made me jump!
Negatives:
- The film gets really, really confusing as it progresses to the point where I’m afraid it lost me completely!
- Referring to someone with a mental illness in the subtitles as “the madman” is not very progressive or PC by Western standards!
UK Premiere
I was lucky enough to attend the UK premiere of this film at the Vue West End, Leicester Square on the 5th October 2023. Here is the director, Shujun Wei, introducing the film:
Summary Thoughts on “Only the River Flows”
It’s atmospheric; it’s an interesting watch; but it is also extremely confusing. I’d watch it again to try to work it all out, but I’m not sure I have the patience.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Only the River Flows”:
The trailer is here:
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