Black Coal, Thin Ice

Black Coal, Thin Ice is a critically acclaimed Chinese crime drama film directed by Diao Yinan. The movie takes place in a small town in northern China and follows the story of a former detective named Zhang Zili, played by Liao Fan, who is tasked with investigating a series of gruesome murders that occurred five years ago. After a tragic event that resulted in the death of two of his partners, Zhang is forced to retire from the police force and becomes a drunken security guard. When the killings start again, Zhang decides to take matters into his own hands and investigate the case on his own. He becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman named Wu Zhizhen, played by Gwei Lun-mei, who is seemingly connected to each victim. As Zhang delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a complex web of lies, deceit, and corruption that leads him down a dangerous path of self-discovery and redemption. The film features a talented cast, including Liao Fan as Zhang Zili, Gwei Lun-mei as Wu Zhizhen, Wang Xuebing as Liang Zhijun, and Wang Jingchun as Rong Rong. The movie was a critical success, winning the Golden Bear award at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival, among several other accolades. Black Coal, Thin Ice was also a commercial success, grossing over $30 million at the box office worldwide. The film's unique blend of noir atmospherics, social realism storytelling, and stylish visuals has made it stand out in the crime thriller genre. It's considered a must-see for fans of Chinese cinema and crime dramas alike.

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Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Black Coal, Thin Ice include Secret in Their Eyes, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Ghost in the Shell, The Girl on the Train, Suburbicon, The Standoff at Sparrow Creek.