A commentator on contemporary Chinese society, auteur Zhangke Jia tells four separate narratives across four separate provinces: the common theme that of seemingly random acts of violence.
A miner protesting corruption in his local village (Wu Jiang): the assault of a sauna receptionist (Chinese superstar, Tao Zhao) are the strongest of the four tales. But throughout, Zhangke Jia emphasises the ever-widening disparity between rich and poor.
A Touch of Sin is a fascinating insight into modern China away from the media politics of Beijing. It’s robust with more than a passing reference to Tarantino, but there’s also more than a hint of pathos with a society steeped in tradition struggling with rapid industrialisation.
Rating: 64%
Director: Zhangke Jia (Ash is Purest White, Mountains May Depart)
Writer: Zhangke Jia (Ash is Purest White, Mountains May Depart)
Main cast: Tao Zhao (Ash is Purest White, Mountains May Depart), Wu Jiang (Dragon, Father & Hero), Baoqiang Wang (Never Say Never, Mr Tree)
An Opinion or Two 