Black Coal, Thin Ice (2014)

This movie is long. It is slow. It is beautiful. If that sounds like the kind of movie you like, then I highly suggest checking out this gem by director Diao Yinan.  The cinematography is soft and yet sharp, highlighting the snow and icy town where most of the story takes place.  In particular the lighting really sets moods for the film from it's beginning to the end.  This is one of my favorite films, and I give it a 9/10.  I docked one point for the sort of fantastical bit at the end.  It reminds me a little of the butterfly scene in Lee Chang Dong's Oasis, and although it was an event that could realistically occur unlike the scene in Oasis, it somehow felt less accomplished.  This is a very minor point however, and some may not mind at all. Overall fantastic film with a solid and believable portrayal by Liao Fan.  Highly recommended for those who enjoy crime neonoir films and are interested in watching Chinese cinema and want something fresh.

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