Full River Red

 18th Spring Film Festival

Set in the 12th century during the Song dynasty, this period drama by director Zhang Zimou can make your head spin with the numerous plot twists that a motley crew of wily and cunning characters need to navigate. 

On the eve of an important meeting between rival factions, an emissary from the Jin delegation is murdered and a letter in his possession has gone missing. Qin Hui, the frail and paranoid prime minister of Song orders his underlings and his fleet of soldiers to find the murderer and the missing letter. He wants it all solved in two hours before they set out for the meeting at dawn.

The search is headed by Sun Jun, a deputy commander of the household battalion and Zhang Da, an incompetent soldier/corporal who also happens to be Sun Jun's nephew although Zhang Da is much older. Together, the unlikely duo encounter obstacles upon hurdles as all their 'suspects' have their own hidden agenda and nothing is as it seems.

A fast paced tale of treachery, duplicity, political maneuverings replete with skillful sword fights, well choreographed stunts buoyed by the stellar performance from the entire cast. It all unfolds within the confines of a serpentine grim fortress. 

Running at almost 3 hours, the plot loses steam midway then perks up again towards a climactic ending. It works because it has the correct mixture of comedy, drama, suspense, a haunting musical score and historical references. Loyalty, intrigue, betrayal (used as a survival tactic), and patriotism all weigh in heavily in this masterpiece by Zhang Zimou.  

By the way, Full River Red is a famous poem by Yue Fei, a brave 12th century general who fought against powerful invaders. During the pivotal final scene, the poem is recited out loud by the whole battalion as a battle cry and homage to General Yue Fei. Beautifully shot with and I am guessing here, drones and wide angled camera shots. 

It is China propaganda at its finest, if you ask me yet at the same time it somehow felt appropriate. After all the wild chases, the senseless pursuits, the conniving and all the intrigues - everything just falls into its rightful place, finally!