Luo Hongwu returns to Kaili, the hometown from which he fled many years ago. He begins the search for the woman he loved and whom he has never been able to forget.
The take
A man returns to a town chasing the memory of a woman he loved years ago.
Poet turned filmmaker Bi Gan coats his idiosyncratic filmmaking with a thick layer of neo-noir in this sumptuous follow up to his remarkable debut Kaili Blues. This time around, Kaili City is a neon-drenched dreamscape dripping in style and calling to mind the work of Tarkovsky and Wong Kar-wai.
He may wear his influences on his sleeve, but Bi Gan keeps his trademark moves like the bravado long takes and a poetic disregard for past and present, reality and dreams. This leads to an explosive and unforgettable sequence in the second half that while originally intended for 3D loses little of its mind-bending power when watched at home.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
Once Were Warriors (1994)
A Maori family survives in an alienating Auckland in this raw, tragic drama
8.0
My Old Ass (2024)
A pleasant mix of comedy and coming-of-age that may or may not leave you in tears
8.0
Silenced (2011)
A brutal and harrowing exposé of the schoolwide abuse case that sparked outrage in Korea
9.0
The Substance (2024)
Demi Moore swaps bodies in this standout chaotic body dysmorphia horror
8.3
Laapataa Ladies (2024)
Two brides are accidentally swapped in this refreshing comedy of errors
8.9
Look Back (2024)
Art connects people through time and space in this short and sweet drama
9.0
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
A star-studded and riveting legal drama with a blockbuster feel.
8.1
The Guilty (2018)
A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.
9.0
Memoir of a Snail (2024)
A crack of hope shines through in this heartbreaking animated film about preservation and perseverance
8.6
His Three Daughters (2024)
Three sisters deal with life and death in this moving family portrait