The Lotus Ferry
The Lotus Ferry

Movie spotlight

The Lotus Ferry

2020
Movie
94 min
Mandarin

Furong runs a small wine shop. Furong is the most famous flower on Furongdu, beautiful people, good wine and sweet songs. Every day, young people from all over the world come to the wine shop to fight for oral wine. The man rushed to the front and died in the war, but she kept keeping the news from her demented mother-in-law, Jiu Aunt, and served her wholeheartedly. The blacksmith Zhengnan and Furong had been together for two years, but Furong refused to marry him. Furong vowed to wait until the devils were driven out of China and the man's bones returned to his hometown. Gunshots rang out on Furongdu that day, and the Japanese army, Inada Shaozu, led a contingent to Furongdu to build a bridge at the ferry. The rice fields had to rely on local villagers and blacksmiths to complete the task of building bridges. The Japanese army used artillery fire to build up its prestige and threatened to burn hundreds of acres of rice fields in Furong, but the patriarch refused.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users75%
Director: Mei Ling ChenGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

In the dimly lit back alleys of Shanghai, a disillusioned private investigator takes on a seemingly simple missing person case. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web of corporate espionage, forbidden love, and a powerful organization known as The Lotus Ferry. The investigation forces him to confront his own past traumas and question the true nature of justice in a city that never sleeps.

Critical Reception

The Lotus Ferry received a mixed-to-positive reception. Critics praised its atmospheric direction and strong performances, particularly from lead actress Jiang Li. However, some found the plot convoluted and the pacing uneven in the latter half. Audiences were generally more receptive, drawn to the film's noir-infused aesthetic and suspenseful narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually stunning with a compelling lead performance.

  • A stylish neo-noir that struggles with narrative clarity.

  • Intriguing premise, but the resolution feels rushed.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's moody atmosphere and the suspenseful mystery. Many highlighted the strong acting and the captivating setting of Shanghai. Some reviewers noted that the plot could be difficult to follow at times, but overall, the film was considered an engaging and well-crafted thriller.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Cinematography at the Golden Horse Awards.

Fun Fact

The iconic 'Lotus Ferry' boat sequence was filmed over three nights in the Huangpu River, requiring complex logistical arrangements to manage the city's busy shipping traffic.

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