Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows
Only the River Flows

KimStim

Only the River Flows

$28.99
$28.99
$41.98
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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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{ "42893135904810":1 }
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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

Details

This special limited edition slipcover (designed by Beth Morris) is limited to 1,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

KimStim is a Brooklyn based, full-service distribution company dedicated to the release of exceptional independent, foreign, and documentary film. Founded in 2000 by Mika Kimoto and Ian Stimler, KimStim brings to US and North American audiences selected films from around the world gleaned from the most prestigious film festivals and include top prize winners from Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Berlin, and Tribeca.

When a woman’s body is discovered on the banks of a river near a small town in southern China, it’s up to police investigator Ma Zhe (Zhu Yilong), working out of an abandoned cinema, to find the killer—but what at first appears to be an open-and-shut case turns out to be only the first layer of an ever deepening mystery, as Ma’s inquiry reveals the hidden life of the rural community. Based on Yu Hua’s short novel Mistakes by the River, Wei’s bleakly atmospheric tour-de-force neo-noir is laced with gallows humor and touches of the surreal, its grungy, low-contrast 16mm photography a hand in glove fit for its 1990s setting. “Visually entrancing… a mystifying gem. One of the best films at Cannes 2023.” —Frieze

directed by: Wei Shujun
starring: Zhu Yilong, Chloe Maayan, Hou Tianlai
2023 / 101 min / 1.85:1 / Mandarin DTS-HD MA 5.1

Additional info:

  • Region A Blu-ray
  • Trailer
  • Interview with Wei Shujun by Panos Kotzathanasis of Asian Movie Pulse
  • English subtitles

Overall rating: 4.74359 / 5 from 39 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Only the River Flows is a limited edition slipcover for a critically acclaimed neo-noir film directed by Wei Shujun. The movie, based on Yu Hua's short novel, features solid detective action and a wonderfully atmospheric setting. It is praised for its immersive experience and unique photography, making it a must-have for film enthusiasts.

Summary topics

  • Detective Action (20%): Based on many customers, this movie is highly praised for its solid detective action and immersive detective movie.
  • Atmospheric Setting (25%): A significant number of customers remarked that the film is excellent, enjoyable, and wonderfully atmospheric.

Review topics: ["feel","buy","movie","film","cinematography","ending","slipcover","gem","story","features","thriller","restoration","label","vinegar syndrome","acting","sense","picture","presentation","mystery","addition"].

Review highlights

  • "Love this movie and so glad Vinegar Syndrome put it out!" — Nevin L.
  • "A gem of a release for a fantastic film" — Nicolas K.
  • "Overall a very solid and immersive detective movie!" — david t.

Reviews

Can We Remove The Background Noise

"I'll keep this review as ambiguous and as much of a mystery as the film. This film has some excellent cinematography, capturing the bleakness of its settings, and the direction is very good. While I couldn't help thinking of some distinct parallels with Bong Joon-ho's incredible films Memories of Murder and Mother, Only The River Flows still stands on its own, as a decent watch. I'm glad I made the order for this blind buy, it did pay off. The special features are limited to an interview with the director, which is great. The slipcover is a nice addition, as well."

— Ben. Z. (5/5)

When you find a body…

"An amazingly bleak neo-noir that pulls you down into its dark underbelly. Only the River Flows in starkly reminiscent of a Lynchian nightmare set in Southern China, with everything beginning when a body is found, and what is supposed to be simple quickly becomes surreal. Touches of black humor give additional charm to the exploration of a seedy atmosphere, and an increasingly darker tale of crime"

— Kevin L. (5/5)

Good One

"The slipcover is awesome, as always with anything VS or their awesome partner Labels release! It is a cool movie that was a lot of fun to watch! I always love the unique VS service of allowing you to stack as many movies as you like in your cart during any release period and ship them for free! The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"

— Paul K. (5/5)

Brilliant sense

"Either this film is really brilliant or it makes no sense. The transfer is not very good. It looks like a very old blu ray"

— Jesper C. (3/5)

Great product, pretty good movie

"Beautiful copy of a movie had no idea existed before browsing the sale. Found the screenplay to be a little flimsy, but Only the River Flows is excellently directed, gorgeous, very moody and surprisingly funny. Would recommend!"

— Eric T. (5/5)

Maybe not the Ending for me

"It maybe doesn't entirely stick the landing but a very impressive and enjoyable ride along the way."

— Michael G. (5/5)

Only the River Flows

"Interesting movie, not what I was expecting but good addition to the collection"

— Stephen B. (5/5)

All offices should be abandoned

"All offices should be abandoned theaters. Grimy little mystery."

— Corey D. (5/5)

Never heard this one until

"Never heard this one until now, glad to get it on sale."

— Hai Z. (4/5)

Moody Neo-Noir

"Loved the atmosphere in this one. Slow, deliberate, and worth the ride."

— Chris T. (5/5)

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