Under the Light
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| Under the Light | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Traditional Chinese | 堅如磐石 |
| Simplified Chinese | 坚如磐石 |
| Literal meaning | Solid as a rock |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Jiān rú pánshí |
| Directed by | Zhang Yimou |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Pang Liwei |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Luo Pan |
Production companies | Beijing Enlight Pictures Beijing Hanli Film Co., Ltd. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 127 minutes |
| Country | China |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Box office | $190 million[1] |
Under the Light (Chinese: 坚如磐石) is a 2023 Chinese crime drama film directed by Zhang Yimou, and stars Lei Jiayin, Zhang Guoli, Yu Hewei, and Zhou Dongyu. It was released in theaters in China on September 28, 2023. The film tells the story of Su Jianming, an ordinary young policeman who works at the Municipal Bureau's Criminal Identification Center. In order to protect the safety of the people, he embarks on a thrilling investigative journey.
Plot
[edit]To investigate the truth behind a bus explosion case, Su Jianming defies the warnings of his powerful and influential father, Zheng Gang, and rushes to attend a banquet hosted by wealthy businessman Li Zhitian. There, Su witnesses Li's brazen and cruel display of power, which includes humiliating others and plunging his hand into a boiling hotpot. As the night unfolds, shocking clues gradually surface: a corpse hidden in a wall, a deadly assault with a wrench, and the under-the-table transfer of nearly ten billion yuan. Beneath these intertwining secrets, an undercurrent of danger suggests that a grand scheme is being meticulously plotted.
Cast
[edit]- Lei Jiayin as Su Jianming
- Zhang Guoli as Zheng Gang
- Yu Hewei as Li Zhitian
- Zhou Dongyu as Li Huilin
- Sun Yizhou as David
- Li Naiwen as Liu Feng
- Xu Yajun as Liu Bo
- Tian Yu as Tang Danian
- Xu Zili as Sun Heyang
- He Zhengjun as Wen Hui
- Chen Daoming as Chen Weimin
- Joan Chen as He Xiuli
- Wang Xun
Production
[edit]Background
[edit]As a criminal procedural blockbuster set in the city, the film is different from the image style of Zhang Yimou's previous films. This is something Zhang Yimou has never tried before, an urban and modern shooting style that replaces the classical composition. From the early stages of creation, Zhang set the tone of the film: "Don't write about simple sympathy, but write about the understanding of human nature".[2]
In order to pursue a sense of reality, director Zhang asked all members of the crew to show up without makeup. Actor Chen Daoming stated this is his first time doing so during his acting career.[3]
The film also marked the second collaboration between Zhang Yimou and Zhou Dongyu since her breakthrough film Under the Hawthorn Tree ten years ago.[4]
Filming
[edit]In May 2019, the film started shooting in Chongqing. On September 13, the film was announced to be completed.[5]
Release
[edit]The film released the first trailer on December 27, 2022. On the same day, it also announced that the film was scheduled for release on January 22, 2023. On December 29, 2022, the film released the list of full cast.
References
[edit]- ^ "Under the Light (坚如磐石) (2023)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "《坚如磐石》究竟讲了一个什么故事？电影幕后纪录片"故事篇"曝光". Sohu. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "坚如磐石张艺谋要求全员素颜 《坚如磐石》定档时间确定_文娱快讯_大众网". ent.dzwww.com. Archived from the original on 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ "张艺谋公安题材新作"坚如磐石"发预告 第一次尝试硬派警匪片 雷佳音周冬雨等主演". Mtime时光网. 2020-06-08. Archived from the original on 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ "张艺谋新片重庆低调开机拍摄 雷佳音周冬雨等主演". Sohu. 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2024-02-20.