The River of Fury

Plot Core: The Jiang River Mystery and the Detective's Obsession

The story focuses on the rainy season in Chongqing in 2018, where police captain Feng Taishan (played by Ning Li) leads a team investigating a series of murders along the Jiang River. The victims all exhibit the strange characteristic of "drowning without signs of struggle," while the only survivor (played by Chen Duling) is left in a state of amnesia due to trauma. As the investigation deepens, Feng Taishan discovers a close connection between the cases and a missing persons case from twenty years ago, with the key witness being the daughter of his former partner (played by Liu Mintao). The film uses imagery like "evidence washed away by heavy rain" and "the river flowing backward" to suggest the human depravity and redemption behind the truth.

Production Background: Huang Bo's "HB+U" Initiative

Director Support: New director Feng Yongqin was given the opportunity to shoot through the "HB+U New Director Support Program" initiated by Huang Bo, which is jointly supported by Hana Films and Shengwan Culture, aiming to nurture young filmmakers.
Chongqing Location: The film commenced shooting on August 3, 2018, in Chongqing, utilizing the city's unique topography and misty climate to enhance the suspenseful atmosphere. Scenes like the "cable car disposal" reference local news regarding the "Red Maple Ridge cable car incident."
Market Anticipation: Selected for the Maoyan Film Recommendation Conference in October 2024, it was listed as a "must-see crime film for the Spring 2025 release."

Character and Actor Performances

Ning Li challenges the "hardcore detective" persona for the first time, transitioning from the cold killer in "Burning Ice" to a dedicated investigator, with the line "The river flows west, the truth goes east" showcasing his character's contradictions.
Wang Xun breaks away from his comedic image to portray a forensic expert who hides evidence out of guilt, creating much anticipation for his scenes with Ning Li that highlight their "trust crisis."
Chen Duling makes a special appearance as the amnesiac survivor, challenging herself with a performance that includes "post-traumatic personality shifts," such as suddenly switching dialects in the interrogation room to expose lies.

(This article is compiled from reports on the film's launch ceremony and plot release information; specific details are subject to the actual release version.)

Note:

The phrase "the river flows west" symbolizes the irreversibility of evil, resonating with the theme that "truth may be late but is inevitable."
The forensic lab scenes reference real cases from the "Chongqing Forensic Identification Center" in 2017, enhancing the realism of the investigative details.