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A Touch of Sin (2013) poster

A Touch of Sin

dir. Jia Zhangke · 2013

The struggle against systemic injustice can lead individuals to desperate and violent actions.

Feature
Institutional Corruption
Mood
Dark
Look
stark, unembellished cinematography with a focus on realism
Structure
episodic, interwoven character arcs
Plot

Four people in different provinces are driven to violent ends: An angry miner is enraged by corruption in his village. A migrant discovers the possibilities of owning a firearm. A receptionist is pushed beyond her limits by an abusive client. A young factory worker goes from one job to the next.

Why watch

"A Touch of Sin" offers a harrowing look at the brutal realities of modern China, intertwining individual tales of despair and violence that expose the corrosive effects of corruption and class struggle. With its stark visual storytelling and profound social commentary, this film is a visceral experience that resonates with those seeking authenticity and depth.

Cultural context
rapid economic transformation in Chinarising social inequalitycorruption in local governancethe struggles of migrant workers

Where this shelves

every shelf · back to the store