Black Coal, Thin Ice is a Chinese crime thriller film directed by Diao Yinan. The film follows former police detective Zhang Zili, who was fired from the force after he failed to solve a series of murders in which the victims were dismembered and scattered across the region. Years later, Zhang has become an alcoholic and a security guard, but he still cannot forget about the case that ruined his career and his life.
When a new wave of murders begins in the same fashion as the ones he previously investigated, Zhang finds himself drawn back into the case and starts working with his former partner, Wang. The two former cops start investigating the murders, but they soon realize that they are dealing with a much more complex and twisted case than they had anticipated.
As the investigation progresses, Zhang and Wang start uncovering secrets and lies that have been buried for years, and they realize that the killer might be closer than they think. They also find themselves grappling with their own pasts and the mistakes they made during their previous investigation.
The film is a dark and atmospheric thriller that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the damaging effects of obsession. The performances from the cast, especially Liao Fan's portrayal of Zhang, are outstanding, and the cinematography captures the bleak and desolate landscapes of northern China beautifully. Black Coal, Thin Ice won the Golden Bear award at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival and was praised for its intelligent storytelling and nuanced characters.