Mang jing 2003

Ellen Fox, Chicago Tribune: Engrossing because of its amazingly well-documented milieu, which German-trained writer-director Li Yang filmed on location in the northern provinces. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: Fresh, stark and consistently uncompromising, Li Yang's Blind Shaft is an exceptional Chinese film noir. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: Less striking for its storyline than for the world it presents -- a rural moonscape of coal-dust, casual environmental disaster, and atavistic behavior. Read more

Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times: Makes for gripping, merciless drama. Read more

Scott Foundas, L.A. Weekly: Unfolds as fast and mercilessly as the way Song and Tang approach their victims: It sideswipes us. Read more

Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger: May be glutted with despair but it has the levity of an involving story and mordant humor. Read more

Elvis Mitchell, New York Times: It's the last thing you'd expect: a movie that is a commentary on socialism, a film noir and entirely compelling. But that is the case with Li Yang's Blind Shaft. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: From the first shot to the last, we're in the hands of a masterly storyteller. Read more

Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle: The murder-plot angle is never completely plausible, but filmmaker Li Yang overcomes it with a searing depiction of economic desperation and moral alienation. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: While the lack of a musical track, energizing editing and visual variety makes Blind Shaft tedious viewing at times, the story is strong enough to sustain interest. Read more

Time Out: Read more

Derek Elley, Variety: Blind Shaft has a low-key power that comes as much from its off-handed approach to the dark material as from any techniques. Read more

J. Hoberman, Village Voice: Harsh and compelling, Li Yang's Blind Shaft has the focused intensity of a vintage B movie. Read more