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: 4.740741 / 5 from 27 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%
  • Atmospheric Setting: 25%

Review topics: ["feel","presentation","buy","movie","film","cinematography","story","ending","gem","thriller","slipcover","vinegar syndrome","acting"].

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

Detective Story That Morphs

"Movie: I would love to rewatch this with more context and get more out of it, but as is I felt a little disappointed at the end. There's a good sense of mystery throughout, and then even some Lynchian moments, but ultimately I'm not sure exactly what happened. I mean, there's sort of an obvious answer but it feels underwhelming. Also, not necessarily a great depiction of mental illness, although maybe that's just being true to 1990's China; this setting was another thing I really enjoyed about the movie. Extras: Always nice to have the trailer. The interview includes the director speaking in Chinese and being translated by a translator, which isn't always my favorite presentation. Packaging: The slipcover is really great."

— Gideon M. (4/5)

Yilong Zhu is excellent in

"Yilong Zhu is excellent in this slow burn film noir thriller. The cinematography really stands out with some really striking images. Really enjoyed this one and it's a definite rewatch. Great purchase."

— Bryan K. (5/5)

Wow

"Great movie. . liked it, love it"

— Richard J. (5/5)

A Modern Gem

"This film is so beautifully shot it’s hard to believe it wasn’t made in the 1990s. Also a genuine surprise from Mainland China. I’ve thought about this film a lot since I’ve seen it and thankfully VS had a beautiful edition in stock so I can return to this film over and over."

— Thomas N. (5/5)

Excellent Slow-Burn Thriller

"This is an excellent, moody, slow-burn thriller with beautiful cinematography. Highly recommended!"

— Jeffrey L. (5/5)

Needed this

"Hope this teams gets to make more movies because MAN"

— Jermaine M. (4/5)

Enthralling Post-Noir Crime Drama

"One of the special features is an interview with the director, and the interviewer describes this movie as a mystery that turns into an art film. I wouldn't quite go that far, but I'm not sure how better to describe it. I'm a huge noir fan (I think this one counts), and a lover of a well-made mystery, so I was pretty quickly pulled in here. The setting and parade of interesting side characters/suspects we meet very quickly were incredibly captivating. The loving nods to Twin Peaks and other stylized mysteries abound. I assume this must be from the novel, which came out pretty soon after the original TP aired. All the side mysteries are fun until they're heartbreaking. Then in the third act, the movie does something fascinating. Dozens of movies about a tough cop trying to find an elusive killer at the cost of his personal life are out there, but this one deals with that dilemma in a manifestly original and lovely fashion. I won't go into much detail so as to not spoil it, but it's not something I've ever seen before (that I recall). The ending is both frustrating and satisfying, and will stick with me for quite a while."

— Michael B. (4/5)

Only the River Flows

"Another Great Blind Buy. Excellent cinematography and performances. Very Highly Recommended"

— Hansi L. (5/5)

Glad I picked this up!

"Gorgeous slip - intrigued me into checking this one out!"

— Vanessa H. (5/5)

Beautiful

"My gosh! Flow river! Flow!!"

— chris b. (5/5)

Q&A

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