Blog posting written by Lucy Yang, Journalism and Politics, '14, FLEFF Blogger, Puyang, Henan, China

This film has won the Best Screenplay Award of Cannes Film Festival 2013 and is on the top of every film critic’s list of the year. Jia Zhangke, the director and screenwriter of the film, is one of the most influential figures of the “Sixth Generation” filmmakers of Chinese cinema.

The film tells four individual stories that are adapted from four real events in China. Jia has done a splendid job transforming these social events and news reports into his screenplay. 

An angry miner revolts against the corruption of his village leaders. A migrant worker at home for the New Year discovers the infinite possibilities a firearm can offer. A pretty receptionist at a sauna is pushed to the limit when a rich client assaults her. A young factory worker goes from job to job trying to improve his lot in life. Four people, four different provinces. A reflection on contemporary China: that of an economic giant slowly being eroded by violence.

A Touch of Sin was originally planned to be screened in China in November, 2013, but was eventually censored by the state.