Xi sha

This was an unexpected delight on the in-flight movie list on a flight from Europe to China. Imagine one of those old Hercule Poirot stories with a bit of comedy added and a character like the Joker from the Batman universe (in this case brother nutter). If that sounds a bit odd it works really well.

The story is a whodunit, with a group of characters brought together so a detective can find a murderer. Another similarity with Poirot is it is a period piece set in the Republic of China before the victory of the Communist party.

The movie is very much character driven, taking place largely within a room and depends on some interesting characters delivered by a very strong cast. The story has the sort of plot twist much loved by Agatha Christie but it socks the viewer in and blends drama and tragedy with a light touch and humour.

I suspect it's unlikely to be picked up by US or European TV networks or streaming services which is sad as it's a wonderful film with a terrific story and a superb ensemble cast. Well worth making an effort to discover.