The Breaking Ice
The Breaking Ice (Chinese: 燃冬) is a 2023 Chinese-Singaporean romantic drama film written and directed by Anthony Chen. Starring Zhou Dongyu, Liu Haoran and Qu Chuxiao, the film was selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.[3][4] It was selected as the Singaporean entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[5]
| The Breaking Ice | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Chinese | 燃冬 |
| Literal meaning | "The burning winter" |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Rán dōng |
| Directed by | Anthony Chen |
| Written by | Anthony Chen |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Yu Jing-pin[1] |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Kin Leonn[1] |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
| Countries | China Singapore |
| Languages |
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| Box office | US$2.98 million[2] |
Synopsis
The film follows three young people who form a friendship as they spend time touring Yanji, a border city in northern China, over a weekend in the winter snow.
Cast
- Zhou Dongyu as Nana[1]
- Liu Haoran as Haofeng[1]
- Qu Chuxiao as Han Xiao[1]
- Wei Ruguang as the fugitive
- Liu Baisha as tour member
Production
In June 2021, Chen was challenged by a Chinese writer during his stint as the jury of the Shanghai International Film Festival.[1] The writer felt that his films were uncommonly “mature and precise” and asked Chen, “What do you think your films would be like if you let go of control and worked with a freer spirit?”.[1] Due to a delay in scheduling of his ongoing film, Drift, Chen decided to film about Chinese youths in China.[1]
The film was written in a matter of days during director Anthony Chen's quarantine in a hotel in China during the pandemic period. It was filmed around the Changbai Mountains for 38 days with wintry scenes shot in temperatures that reached -18 degrees Celsius.[6]
Critical response
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 93% based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10.[7] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 71 out of 100 from 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8]
The film was selected by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the best films of Cannes Film Festival.[9]
See also
References
- "Anthony Chen on 'The Breaking Ice,' His Cinematic Love Letter to China's Youth". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- "Rán Dōng (燃冬) (2023) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- Lui, John (31 August 2023). "Film Picks: The Breaking Ice release events, The Equalizer 3, Shortcomings". The Straits Times. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- "Singaporean director Anthony Chen's new film gets rave reviews at this year's Cannes Film Festival". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- Brzeski, Patrick (29 September 2023). "Oscars: Singapore Selects Anthony Chen's 'The Breaking Ice' for International Feature Category". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- Ravindran, Manori (21 May 2023). "Anthony Chen Breaks the Ice With a Tale of Disillusioned Youth in China". Variety. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- "The Breaking Ice - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- "The Breaking Ice". Metacritic. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- Brzeski, Patrick (24 July 2023). "Anthony Chen's 'The Breaking Ice' Acquired By Strand Releasing for North American Distribution (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 September 2023.