These critically successful Chinese films were based on horrifying true stories
Real-life crimes have inspired many Hollywood movies, from Bonnie and Clyde and The Thin Blue Line to The Wolf of Wall Street and American Hustle. It’s no exception for Chinese filmmakers, though they have to comply with instructions from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) to avoid too much violence, detailed depiction of crime, or an overly pessimistic tone.
One may get such consolation from fiction, but reality is rarely as comforting. In order to get a domestic release, some films, such as Li Yang’s Blind Mountain, use alternative endings; others never get a release in China, despite their efforts. Here are the five best Chinese crime films, and the chilling and dramatic real-life cases behind them.
Related Articles
