Ash Is Purest White

We follow the evolution and the misguidance of a mafia couple for a decade. With highs (classically: money, feeling of power, ...) and lows (to be discovered!). I did not know Tao Zhao: she plays perfectly

This is an intense movie. It's is less about the story, which is long, both in terms of movie length but also the time period of 2001 to 2018, than it is about the lead character and her protagonist, her love. Both Tao and Fan are exceptional. Understated yet convey such power. The hotel scene is superb.

This is a film of character. Of stoicism. Of progress but indomitable tradition. A pseudo love story but rather one of belief and strength. An excellent and absorbing character study.

An enjoyable journey into a land and character unfamiliar.

Qiao (Zhao Tao) lives in a mining town in the Chinese province of Shanxi. Her boyfriend Bin (Liao Fan) is a mob boss. As years go by, crime life brings consequences to their lives - individually and as a couple.

Though the film is long at two and a quarter hours, it is rarely dull. The two lead performers, especially Zhao, are engaging as are the occasional rural landscapes especially the ones captured by train travel.

The middle sequence is the most fascinating. When Qiao is on a mission in a strange place, she might act in terrible ways but it is still tempting to root for her; she's not much different from the corruption that surrounds her.

Overall, "Ash Is Purest White" is a fascinating journey albeit a cynical one that begins in 2001 and finishes seventeen years later. Whether it's taking place in a corrupt small town, a prison, or a chaotic travel experience, it is always intriguing in a mostly quiet way. - dbamateurcritic

Qiao is cool headed, smart, responsible and resourceful; good qualities to have when your boyfriend is a gangster. When Bin, her man, gets into trouble, Qiao gets him out of it. She fades into the background when Bin needs to take the spotlight. Qiao even takes a fall for Bin when he needs her in a pinch. And that is when he forgets her. Qiao emerges from five years in prison to cold indifference. To Bin, it is as if she did not exist. "People should keep their emotions in check" Bin's new woman tells Qiao. And even China seems to have forsaken her. This is a land where cities are swallowed whole by reservoirs, and the dark water is rising around Qiao. But this ingenious woman is going to get her groove back and do what is right, Bin or no Bin.

Such depth and beauty to each element of this enthralling film. The cinematography is luminous, characters are fascinating, the story is not predictable, and bits of modern China are revealed for the complex wonders that they are. Depth is everywhere. Surprises are constant. Analogies are all around; tigers lurk in cages, a volcano looms in the distance, and a street performer picks out Qiao from a crowd and sings to her "who knew I'd ever see you again." He speaks to her heart but does not know it. The actor who plays Bin has one expression in his bag of tricks, so he could have been better, but otherwise the acting is quite good. North American premiere seen at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

Found this on the film channels, and it looked fascinating. You know what? It very much lived up to that billing despite not following initial expectations.

We have here a tale surrounding a young lady in love with a gangster who are top dogs in their local area, but then the usual story stops. It's set with the backdrop of the rapidly captalising China, with the light & dark sides that come with that, and we see the young lady's travails through this as well as her obsession for her selfish man.

Personally, I was a bit surprised to come on here and see that this has been little watched & reviewed. It's a wonderfully made film, and the story is an existential look at life, possibly absurdist, with an apathetic world waiting for no one and evolving crushing all those whose lives are on hold.

It's slow in tone, but it's very beautifully filmed and acted. It deserves more attention. Even though it will clearly tick more with those of a Chinese background, there are some very strong parallels for many of us in the Western World to learn from too.

It's cerebral, arty and unforgiving. That's actually a compliment, and I think I'm going to dig out more from this director. Clearly, very much recommended from me.