Black Coal, Thin Ice

Set against the chilly backdrop of China's northern coal country in the depths of winter, this low-key Chinese thriller serves up a shadowy murder mystery. Liao Fan stars as Zhang, a police detective investigating the case of a dismembered corpse found in the coal on the conveyer belt of a local factory. After the case goes sideways, ending in a violent shootout that leaves four dead, the film jumps ahead five years to find Zhang now a disgraced drunk working as a security guard at the factory. When human remains are once again discovered on the coal chutes, Zhang begins his own investigation, focusing on the widow of the first victim—who also has ties to the new victims—becoming romantically involved with this woman who may be an innocent party or a cold-blooded murderer. Filmmaker Diao Yinan's Black Coal, Thin Ice is a well-made drama that offers an interesting perspective on life in China within the framework of a compelling murder mystery. Winner of the top award at the Berlin International Film Festival, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)