Knife in the Clear Water

  • 93'
  • China
  • 2016
In this contemplative film about life, death and survival, Ma Zishan, an ageing Hui-Chinese from Ningxia province, is facing a dilemma. His wife, beloved by everyone in the village, has died and tradition demands that a ceremony is held for her forty days later. But Ma Zishan doesn’t know how he can pay for the ceremony. His son encourages him to slaughter their last bull for the guests, but he finds it difficult to say even more farewells. 
Knife in the Clear Water shows the uncompromising life of the Hui, Chinese Muslims who live simply off the land. The fact that in his debut Wang Xuebo allowed himself to be inspired by Tarkovski and painters Andrew Wyeth and Jean-François Millet can be seen in the painterly interiors, the 4:3 format and the tranquil, long shots of misty, mountainous northern China.
  • 93'
  • China
  • 2016
Director
Wang Xuebo
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
China
Year
2016
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
93'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Qingshui li de daozi
Language
Chinese
Producers
Wang Xuebo, Chen Cheng, Chen Jian, Wang Zijian
Production Companies
Beijing Ocean & Time Culture Communication Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Jiashang Film and Media Co., Ltd., Sichuan Branch Ning Xia Ming Dao Culture Development Co., Ltd., Blackfin (Beijing) Culture & Media Co.
Sales
Asian Shadows
Screenplay
based on a novel by Shi Shuqing, Wang Xuebo, Ma Jinlian, Ma Yue
Cinematography
Wang Weihua
Editor
Guo Xiaodong, Liao Chingsong, Wang Xuebo
Production Design
Yang Wei
Sound Design
Fu Kang
Cast
Yang Shengcang, Yang Shengcang, Zhou Jinhua, Yang Fan, Yang Xue
Local Distributor
MOOOV Film Distribution The Netherlands
Director
Wang Xuebo
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
China
Year
2016
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
93'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Qingshui li de daozi
Language
Chinese
Producers
Wang Xuebo, Chen Cheng, Chen Jian, Wang Zijian
Production Companies
Beijing Ocean & Time Culture Communication Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Jiashang Film and Media Co., Ltd., Sichuan Branch Ning Xia Ming Dao Culture Development Co., Ltd., Blackfin (Beijing) Culture & Media Co.
Sales
Asian Shadows
Screenplay
based on a novel by Shi Shuqing, Wang Xuebo, Ma Jinlian, Ma Yue
Cinematography
Wang Weihua
Editor
Guo Xiaodong, Liao Chingsong, Wang Xuebo
Production Design
Yang Wei
Sound Design
Fu Kang
Cast
Yang Shengcang, Yang Shengcang, Zhou Jinhua, Yang Fan, Yang Xue
Local Distributor
MOOOV Film Distribution The Netherlands