A Film by Wang Xiaoshuai

One of China's most talented and controversial young filmmakers, Wang Xiaoshuai has crafted a striking noir gangster film reminiscent of Hollywood 's classic B movies from the 1940s and 50s. Banned for 3 years by the Chinese government, So Close to Paradise is now finally available to North American audiences.

Two country boys, Gao Ping and Dong Zi, move to the big city to carve out new lives for themselves. While Dong Zi is content with his menial job hauling boxes around the docks, Gao Ping quickly enters a maze of gangsters, crime, and underworld alliances. When Gao Ping kidnaps and then falls in love with Ruan Hong, a beautiful, seductive nightclub singer, his fate is sealed.

"An important figure in China's 'Sixth Generation' of filmmakers, Wang has an extraordinary sense of color and composition." -New York Times

"Terrific performances [with] a moving emotional payoff. The visual style is sometimes brilliant-it resembles that of Wong Kar-wai's films." -IndieRag