When a woman’s body is discovered on the banks of a river near a small town in southern China, it’s up to police investigator Ma Zhe (Zhu Yilong), working out of an abandoned cinema, to find the killer—but what at first appears to be an open-and-shut case turns out to be only the first layer of an ever deepening mystery, as Ma’s inquiry reveals the hidden life of the rural community. Based on Yu Hua’s short novel Mistakes by the River, Wei’s bleakly atmospheric tour-de-force neo-noir is laced with gallows humor and touches of the surreal, its grungy, low-contrast 16mm photography a hand in glove fit for its 1990s setting.

For in-depth thoughts on Only the River Flows, please see my colleague M.N. Miller’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Only the River Flows makes its Blu-Ray debut with a terrific 1080p video presentation that showcases the sumptuous cinematography well. The image is pleasantly textured thanks to the 16mm photography with a valuable amount of depth to the frame. The transfer embraces the nuanced color palette as it fills up the screen. The film employs some deep colors when the shots of vegetation are featured, which makes for a lush image. The flesh tones are natural with a notable amount of detail present in close-ups. The complex production design and shooting locations provide impeccably clear textural details. The black levels are the slightest bit raised in a few scenes, but largely they maintain their depth. This Blu-Ray is a first-rate representation of this movie that accomplishes everything it sets out to do.

Audio Quality

KimStim gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that executes the soundscape without a hitch. One of the most stirring elements is the score, which sounds nice and balanced while maintaining its fidelity. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overshadowed by any competing sounds. This narrative goes more for contemplative and moody rather than action-packed, but there are a few instances that add some nice texture to the proceedings. Environmental sounds of the world fill the surround speakers in an enveloping way. When the characters are traveling outside, some distinct ambient details expand the setting. The audio track provides a special experience full of nuances that bring this narrative to life as necessary. This film is presented in the original Mandarin with optional English subtitles.

Special Features

Interview with Director Wei Shujun: A 28-minute interview with the filmmaker in which he discusses his relationships with festivals, making films for an international audience, what inspired him to adapt the novel that led to Only the River Flows, the themes that resonated with him, and more.

Theatrical Trailer (1:25)

Final Thoughts

Only the River Flows is a compelling neo-noir that wrestles with the desire to make sense of seemingly senseless violence. The labyrinth of clues throughout this investigation leads to some unsettling and occasionally bizarre places, yet there is a sense that no one answer would satisfy why certain heinous acts are committed. The gritty cinematography and deeply engrossing performances keep this one at the forefront of your thoughts even after the credits have finished rolling. KimStim has released a Blu-Ray featuring a worthy A/V presentation and a small selection of supplements. Recommended

Only the River Flows is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: KimStim and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.