Jia Zhang-ke’s standing as the most significant film chronicler of modern China has increased even more with the four-part A Touch of Sin. Again, he succeeds in making films that measure up changes in a changing China. In what is described as a layered ‘martial arts film for contemporary China’, Jia refers in the title – not in the style – in a playful yet significant way to King Hu’s wuxia classic A Touch of Zen (1969-71).
Based on stories that caused a sensation on Weibo (the Chinese Twitter), the filmmaker compellingly dissects four gruesome eruptions of violence that seemed inconceivable not long ago: new for China and new in Jia Zhang-ke’s films. But just as important are the many constants in his oeuvre. His capacity to capture the historic fate of his characters (in this case, the cast includes his regular actors Zhao Tao and Wang Hongwei) in their geographic surroundings (often his home province of Shanxi) is unequalled.
Film details
- Country of production
- China
- Year
- 2013
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2014
- Length
- 129'
- Medium/Format
- DCP
