Lieyan: A Quiet, Dusty Kind of Heartbreak

Is it worth a watch?

Honestly, it depends on how much patience you have for long, quiet shots of people looking miserable in the countryside. If you like classic dramas that feel like they were filmed in a single breath, sure. If you get twitchy when a movie doesn't have a car chase or a quick edit every three seconds, you are going to hate this.

It’s a stage adaptation, and man, you can really feel it. The dialogue is thick and heavy, like it’s trying to drag the scenery along with it. Areng is the classic character who wants more than her village can give, and honestly, you kind of get it, even when she’s being cold-hearted.

There’s this one scene where they are standing by a field, and the wind just... it doesn't do anything. It just hangs there. It felt like the movie forgot to tell the actors to keep moving, so they just stood there, letting the silence get weirdly heavy. It wasn't bad, just very deliberate.

It reminded me a bit of the slow burn in Isn't Life Wonderful, though with way less optimism and a lot more staring at the ground. Sometimes, these older films have this way of making you feel the dust on their clothes. You can practically smell the hay.

• The lighting in the interior shots is surprisingly moody.
• Areng’s vanity is played pretty straight, which is refreshing.
• The pacing is glacial. I mean, really, really slow.
• The ending hits exactly like you think it will, which is both a relief and a disappointment.

I found myself wondering if Qi Agui ever actually spoke a full sentence without sounding like he was reciting a poem. It’s a bit formal. It’s a bit stiff. But there’s a genuine sadness there that isn't faked.

It’s not a masterpiece, and it’s certainly not for everyone. But it’s got that specific, earthy feeling you don't find in modern stuff anymore. Just don't expect a quick sit. 🌾