Summer of Changsha (2019) User Reviews

Summer of Boredom

[raptandy · 5/10 · 9 April 2020]

This film which reminded me of Black Coal Thin Ice has several problems one of which is it failure to connect with the audience in every possible way. Given the film's problematic history-withdrawn the last moment from Cannes-this is no surprise. It is quite obvious that lots of thing were cut out by the government censorship bureau before this film was released in Chinese cinemas. What remains does not make much sense. Several subplots do not seem to head anywhere and many key sequences-such as a double suicide attempt-come out as very confusing, while others such as the search for a cement block with a severed head inside, are downright stupid. The lack of tension and the disoriented performances only add to the confusion. Summer in Changsha fails to deliver as a crime thriller and as a psychological study. If you want to watch a good Mainland thriller go for Touch of Sin, A Wild Goose Lake, or Black Coal Thin Ice. Instead of watching Summer of Changsha, you're better off sunbathing.

Interesting crime drama but slow

[mosquitocyn · 6/10 · 8 May 2023]

The story in this crime drama is interesting and what makes the movie more captivating is that it does not only deal with the crime to be solved. It is like many layers of stories interlacing with each other unfolding and revealing the character, mistakes, feelings of the cast. The acting is real with no frills or dolled up characters - just the way people look like and act like naturally. However, I must admit it is slow. The director takes his time to slowly take us through the movie. If it is paced in a manner general viewers are accustomed to, this movie would likely be an hour in length. All in all, interest, good acting, good story but quite slow.

Weird, very weird

[housearrestedever · 2/10 · 22 December 2021]

This movie is supposed to be a crime investigation, it was supposed to be full of energy and speed. But it just turned out to be so slow and spiritless. The tempo was so slow that you didn't even have the patience to sit through it. The acting of all the participants were also in a very sleepy way, even the soundtrack was so slow. I really don't know why the director decided to shoot a homicide case with such a slow process. The guy who played the one of the two leading Chinese detectives was like a bum, a homeless guy who's so hungry that he got no energy at all to investigate the case, but at the same time, as the screenplay set up a romance scenario, he had to act like he gradually fell for the woman involved the case.

Yeah, the summer temperature in Changsha might be very hot, but the cops shouldn't lose their energy like sleep-walking Zombies.

Heart and soul, Love and sin.

[t-62657 · 10/10 · 4 October 2019]

I always believe that good films have three layers of expressions. The first one is to tell a good story. The second one is to go deeper into the story to show the sophistication of human nature. The third one to explore the connection between religions and souls of human behind human nature.When I watched the film, I was drawn by its subtle exploration into the relationship between the characters' hearts and their souls.

Nice focus on depressive disorder

[jiangliyuan-72863 · 9/10 · 23 August 2019]

It's an adapted film according to a case. Zu directed for the first time. The movie was played on the Cannes Film Festival, and everyone shows great performance in it. Good Job

Great moving with A touching story

[bethzhaojing · 9/10 · 26 August 2019]

It succeeds on several levels, characters, scene, costume, background music, it is definitely worth repeated viewings."

Full of expectations

[yugantian · 9/10 · 20 August 2019]

This movie is Mr Zu' s maiden work as a director, got a chance to compete in Cannes film festival 2019, can not be more successful!

Summer of Changsha

[heidi-niu · 10/10 · 29 September 2019]

It's the first time for Zufeng to participate in the film shooting as a director, film has been participated Y2019 Cnenes Film Festival in France and has gotten good reputation, as Zufeng's loyal fan, I am looking forward to seeing his new works and the film release.

Summer of Changsha

[yufeihc · 9/10 · 25 August 2019]

Fans of Mr Zu, looking forward to his very first movie as director!

A story of love and sins

[yxylhy · 9/10 · 12 September 2019]

Watched the film in Cannes with friends. Very much impressed, consider it is the debut film of Mr. Zu as a director. Intriguing but heartbreaking story of love and sins. After watching it, one can't help wondering whether the souls still exist somewhere after all the flesh and blood perished.

From a actor to director

[ironorefish · 9/10 · 12 September 2019]

Recommended by a friend, have to say that it is a good story with excellent performance. Quite impressed by Feng Zu previous works, and believe that this film gave him the first big break at becoming a super director. Hope more to come in the near future!

about mistakes

[zhangxy-18926 · 9/10 · 5 October 2019]

People always make mistakes, but good people will repent. If mistakes are irreversible, how can we getout of this emotion? This is worth of pondering.