Only the River Flows

Shujun Wei's slow-burn noir draws us inexorably into its mysterious psychological journey.

Ma, a dedicated police detective (and expectant father), is assigned to a small-town serial killer case. As the investigation progresses, he begins to lose his mind. Continuing Wei’s fascination with unattainable perfection, in this rich and labyrinthine narrative the more the case becomes opaque the deeper Ma delves into it. Along the way, the film reveals important truths about human behaviour and morality, while delicately employing surrealist moods and mise-en-scene.