The Black Cannon Incident was directed by Huang Jianxin and released in 1985. It stars actor Jiang Wen as the hapless translator, and also features prominent Chinese actresses Gong Li and Liu Xiaoqing in supporting roles.
The film is notable for its sharp critique of the Chinese Communist Party's bureaucracy and its absurdities, as well as for its innovative cinematography and use of dark humor. The film's stylistic influences from German Expressionism and the work of filmmakers like Orson Welles are also noteworthy.
The film was a commercial and critical success in China upon its release, and helped to establish Jiang Wen as a leading figure in Chinese cinema. It remains a classic of the Fifth Generation movement, which was characterized by its exploration of darker themes and its willingness to push the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
