Chinese film noir “Black Coal, Thin Ice” by Diao Yinan about a washed up ex-cop investigating a series of grisly murders won the Berlin film festival’s Golden Bear top prize Saturday.
In a remarkably strong showing for Asian cinema, the stylish but gritty picture, whose Chinese title is Bai Ri Yan Huo, also captured the Silver Bear best actor award for its star Liao Fan.
“It’s really hard to believe that this dream has come true which didn’t come true for such a long time,” Diao said as he accepted the trophy, fighting back tears.
It was the first Chinese film to win in Berlin since the unconventional love story “Tuya De Hunshi” (Tuya’s Marriage) by Wang Quan’an brought home the gold.
“Black Coal, Thin Ice” is set in the late 1990s in the frosty reaches of northern China and its murder mystery plot is told through enigmatic flashbacks. It is Diao’s third feature film.
Liao said he put on 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds) to play the alcoholic suspended police officer who falls hard for a mysterious murder suspect (Gwei Lun Mei).
He said he had celebrated his 40th birthday on Friday in Berlin.