Only the River Flows


Only the River Flows is a 2023 Chinese neo-noir crime drama film directed by Wei Shujun, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kang Chunlei based on Yu Hua's short novel Mistakes by the River. The film stars Zhu Yilong as a police chief investigating a series of murders in a riverside town in rural China in the 1990s.
The film was selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival. It was released theatrically in China on October 21, 2023. As of November 7, the total box office of the film is 301 million RMB, placing it among China's highest-grossing independent films.

Premise

A police chief, Ma Zhe, investigates a series of murders in a riverside town in rural China in the 1990s. Though an arrest is made quickly, clues push the policeman to delve deeper into the hidden behaviour of the locals and piece together the truth.

Cast

Just before principal photography, the COVID-19 pandemic in China was surging again, and the entire cast and crew was put on lockdown. The team had around 45 days of preparation and approximately 45 days of shooting, and had to pause for two days when Wei and Zhu tested positive.
Principal photography began in Nanfeng, Jiangxi, on 19 December 2022, and wrapped in early February 2023. "The film was shot mostly in chronological order as same as in the script".
Zhu Yilong gained weight during the preparation to give the character a heavyset appearance from overwork. He lost 55 pounds during the 45 days of shooting as the shooting went on.
Almost the entire film was shot on 16 mm film.
Speaking to Amy Hawkins of The Guardian, Wei said of Yu's book the following: "A detective novel is supposed to be based on rationality and logic, different understanding of rationality … we're thinking about the limits of rationality. I found that very appealing."

Release

World premiere

The film was selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered on May 20, 2023.

Film festival entries

Film festivalDateAreaRef
76th Cannes Film Festival: Un Certain RegardFrance
40th Jerusalem Film Festival: International CompetitionIsrael
2023 New Zealand International Film FestivalNew Zealand
2023 Darwin International Film FestivalAustralia
40th Manaki Brothers – International Cinematographers' Film FestivalMacedonia
29th Athens International Film FestivalGreece
42nd Vancouver International Film Festival: PanoramaCanada
28th Busan International Film Festival: A Window on Asian CinemaSouth Korea
67th BFI London Film FestivalEngland
BE2CAN 2023Czech Republic
7th Pingyao International Film FestivalChina
59th Chicago International Film FestivalUnited States
Clam, The International Social Film Festival of CataloniaSpain
24th Newport Beach Film Fest: International SpotlightsUnited States
Adelaide Film FestivalAustralia
24th Bergen International Film FestivalNorway
61st Vienna International Film FestivalAustria
47th São Paulo International Film Festival: International PerspectiveBrazil
14th Les Films de Cannes à BucarestRomania
2023: Official Panorama SectionSpain
34th Stockholm International Film Festival: CompetitionSweden
The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimage: Contemporary World CinemaPoland
33rd Films from the South Festival: Spotlight ChinaNorway
72th International Filmfestival Mannheim-HeidelbergGermany
QCinema International Film FestivalPhilippines
Tokyo Filmex 2023Japan

Theatrical release

The film has been licensed for theatrical and home release in Northern America by KimStim and in the United Kingdom and Ireland by Picturehouse Entertainment.
DateArea
China
Australia

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Only the River Flows holds an approval rating of 89%.
Screen Daily stated "while ostensibly a noir, is a reminder of the alternative narrative perspectives and cinematic sophistication that have moved cinema forward in the past. Production design is pleasing and the cinematography is genuinely star-making". The Hollywood Reporter stated "Shame and secrecy seem to be the guiding principles at a time, and in a place, where obedience counted most, and Wei keenly observes how adhering to social norms could drive some people over the edge. Even if Ma Zhe winds up catching the killer, or at least the guy he believes the killer to be, it's a bitter victory, a source of private anguish despite his public triumph." Asia Movie Pulse stated "particularly the friction rising from the fact that their upcoming child will be born with a disorder. Ma Zhe repeatedly states that they are supposed to abort it, but his wife insists that 'her body, her decision', in a comment that echoes quite intently even today, but even more in the one-child policy in 90's China. The way this issue and the way the case unfolds shed light to the protagonist's character is probably the most appealing aspect of the movie." AwardsWatch also reviewed in favor on performance and cinematography after BFI London Film Festival by stating "Yilong gives a subtly excellent performance backed by an all-convincing ensemble that brings to life Shujun's murky, yet refined vision." "The beautifully dark look of Chengma Zhiyuan's 16mm cinematography gives the film a non-contemporary feel."

Accolades

Award / Film FestivalDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientResult
Cannes Film FestivalUn Certain RegardOnly the River FlowsNomitated
Jerusalem Film FestivalInternational CompetitionOnly the River FlowsNomitated
Manaki Brothers – International Cinematographers' Film FestivalOfficial Selection: Silver Camera 300Chengma ZhiyuanWon
Pingyao International Film FestivalFei Mu Awards: Best FilmOnly the River FlowsWon
Chicago International Film FestivalInternational CompetitionOnly the River FlowsNomitated
Panorama: Best FilmOnly the River FlowsWon
Stockholm International Film FestivalStockholm CompetitionOnly the River FlowsNomitated
Tokyo Filmex 2023Competition Grand PrizeOnly the River FlowsNomitated