Black Coal, Thin Ice
Director: Yi’nan Diao
Talent: Fan Liao, Lun Mei Gwei, Xuebing Wang
Release Date: 12th June 2015
This Chinese crime drama takes elements of film noir and de-cinematises them, shedding style in favour of gritty reality. Set against the bleak industry-scape of a mining region in northern China, Black Coal, Thin Ice follows ex-cop Zhang Zili’s relentless pursuit of his final unsolved case, mainly (it seems) because he has nothing better to do.
Zhang is initially a comically dorky alcoholic, but soon his stalkerish pursuit of the femme fatale moves into him unsettling, predatory territory. The lack of music and stark shooting style makes this an uncomfortable watch, but also keeps the noir elements that director Diao Yi’nan is sampling from ever really doing what they’re supposed to.
The plot is suitably intricate, but it’s all a little too inconsequential. That nobody but Zhang cares who committed several murders is a classic detective set up, but Black Coal, Thin Ice goes a bit too far, and fails to convince the audience to care whodunnit either.
Words: Bernard O’Rourke
