"No Man's Land" (無人區(qū))

No Man's Land [File photo]

When Ning Hao's "No Man's Land" was finally released, it was an altered version. Nevertheless, it thrills viewers. Ning has tried to move into a genre seldom touched upon by Chinese directors: the Western -- with Chinese characteristics. At the same time, "No Man's Land" is also a road thriller.

"No Man's Land" is a film that breaks the old rules and tests new bottom lines. It also inspires philosophical reflection. In the vast desert, mankind's animal nature can override his human one, leading to killings and the law of the jungle. Ning explores the idea of how to balance bestiality and humanity.

The cinematography captures the raw beauty of the desert, which increases the tense and desperate atmosphere that the film tries to build. The film is unique in the history of Chinese film and is a fast-paced, well-edited and thought-provoking fable.