Introduction

Full River Red (Chinese: 满江红 or Manijianghong) is a 2023 historical comedy thriller film directed by Zhang Yimou, and stars Shen Teng and Jackson Yee, alongside Zhang Yi, Lei Jiayin, Wang Jiayi and Yue Yunpeng.

It was released in theatres in China on 22 January 2023, the same day as the Chinese New Year Day. It is the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2023.

Outline

The film chronicles a mystery case set in the beginning era of Southern Song dynasty. It is set four years after Yue Fei’s death (around 1146). A mysterious murder occurs at Qin Hui’s residence when he meets delegates from the rival Jin Dynasty. A soldier and a commander become entangled in a large conspiracy as one of the Jin envoys perishes and a confidential letter is reported missing. Righteous vigilantes are responsible for the incident and want to kill a suspected traitor.

Cast

• Shen Teng as Zhang Da (张大), a recruited soldier without rank
• Jackson Yee as Sun Jun (孙均), the deputy commander of the guard battalion
• Zhang Yi as He Li (何立), the general manager of the grand chancellor bureau
• Lei Jiayin as Qin Hui, the grand chancellor
• Wang Jiayi (王佳怡) as Zither (Yao Qin 瑶琴), a dancing girl and Zhang Da’s love
• Yue Yunpeng as Wu Yichun (武义淳), the vice general manager of the grand chancellor bureau
• Pan Binlong (潘斌龙) as Ding Sanwang (丁三旺), a Song soldier who dies
• Yu Ailei (余皑磊) as Liu Xi (刘喜), a Song dynasty peasant who is stabbed to death by He Li’s mandate
• Guo Jingfei (郭京飞) as Wang Biao (王彪)
• Ou Hao as Zheng Wan (郑万), a Song soldier
• Wei Xiang (魏翔) as Hadeng (哈登), a Jin envoy who is killed
• Zhang Chi (张弛) as Chen Liang (陈亮), a Song soldier (left guard)
• Huang Yan (黄炎) as Hu Yong (胡永), a Song soldier (right guard) who is sentenced to death (beheading) as tribute to the Jin dynasty
• Xu Jingya (许静雅) as Lan Yu (蓝玉)
• Jiang Pengyu (蒋鹏宇) as Lüzhu (绿珠), a dancing girl
• Lin Boyang (林博洋) as Liu Yan (柳燕), a dancing girl who dies
• Fei Fan (飞凡) as Qingmei (青梅), a dancing girl
• Ren Sinuo (任思诺) as Yao Yatou (姚丫头), Liu Xi’s daughter
• Chen Yongsheng (陈永胜) as a Song soldier
• Zhang Yinan (张壹男) as Chen Xi (陈锡), Song dynasty secretary

Some characters (such as He Li) are based on the novel General Yue Fei, written by Qian Cai during the Qing dynasty. Some characters also share names with historical people from other time periods such as Lan Yu, a general who was executed by Zhu Yuanzhang during the early Ming dynasty, and Lüzhu, an ancient Chinese singer.

Production

Development

The title is from one of the most famous poems Man Jiang Hong attributed to Yue Fei. Yue Fei was a military general of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279). He is a symbol of patriotism and loyalty to his country. However, Yue Fei was framed and executed by the Song emperor Zhao Gou along with Prime Minister Qin Hui. Although the poem is attributed to Yue Fei, there are theories that Yue Fei did not actually write it. Some even say that the poem was written in a different time period (e.g. after the Song dynasty), citing the fact that Helan mountains and Xiongnu are mentioned.

The poem Man Jiang Hong is recited during film by Qin Hui’s double in front of the Song army.

Filming

The film officially announced that the filming began on 26 June 2022. The filming took place in Taiyuan, Shanxi. It finished filming in August 2022.

Release

The film released the first trailer on 27 December 2022. On the same day, it also announced that the film was scheduled for release on 22 January 2023. On 29 December 2022, the film released the list of full cast. On 05 January 2023, it released the character names of full cast.

Box Office

The film made US$60 million on its opening day and US$181 million in its first three days, coming in behind The Wandering Earth 2. In just 8 days, the film had made over US$465 million.

As of 18 March 2023, the film is China’s sixth-highest-grossing box office entry of all time and the highest grosser of 2023 Chinese New Year.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Yimou Zhang
• Producer(s):
  • Ran Bi … associate producer
  • Huimin Han … associate producer
  • Yuxia Jiang … general executive producer
  • Lin Li … administrative producer
  • Yu Liang … executive producer
  • Xia Wang … associate producer
• Writer(s):
  • Yu Chen
  • Yimou Zhang
• Music:
  • Hong Han
• Cinematography:
  • Xiaoding Zhao … director of photography
• Editing:
  • Yongyi Li
• Production:
  • Huanxi Media Group
  • Yixie (Qingdao) Film
  • Beijing Lifeng Culture Development
  • Tianjin Maoyan Weying Media
  • Beijing Enlight Pictures
  • China Film Co., Ltd.
  • FunAge Pictures
  • Beijin R.molle Culture Media
  • MetaWay Art & Technology
• Distributor(s):
  • Edko Films (China, 2023)(theatrical)
  • Emperor Motion Pictures (Hong Kong, 2023)(theatrical)
  • Johnan & Co (Singapore, 2023)(supporting partner: distribution, theatrical)
  • MM2 Entertainment (Singapore, 2023)(theatrical)
• Release Date: 22 January 2023 (China).
• Running time: 159 minutes.
• Rating: 15.
• Country: China.
• Language: Mandarin.

Video Link(s)