Watch The Banished

The Banished is a Chinese melodrama that explores themes of loss, sacrifice, and redemption. Set in the picturesque mountain village of Dabieshan, the film tells the story of a family torn apart by tragedy and deceit. The central character is Zheng Jianhe, a former police officer who has recently been released from prison after serving time for a crime he did not commit. Having lost everything - his wife, his child, his job - Jianhe returns to his hometown seeking answers and closure. But he soon discovers that the past is not so easily escaped, as old wounds are reopened and new secrets are revealed.

The film is directed by Liu Jianyun, whose work has gained critical acclaim for its vivid portrayals of rural life in China. The Banished is no exception, as the film captures the beauty and harshness of the mountain landscape with stunning cinematography. The village itself is a character in its own right, a place where tradition and modernity clash and coexist in unexpected ways.

Jianhe is played by Fu Bing, a veteran actor whose performance conveys a sense of quiet dignity and inner turmoil. He is a man who has been wronged by society, yet refuses to be defeated by it. As he reconnects with his former love interest, Lian, played by Xing Fei, who works as a teacher, the audience is drawn into the tangled web of relationships that define the village.

The Banished also features a strong ensemble cast, including Wang Zhiwen as Lian's father, a local doctor who has been living with a dark secret for decades. Wang's character is a tragic figure, a man who has been driven to exile from his family and community for doing what he thought was right. Similarly, the character of the village leader, played by Wang Jing, is shrouded in mystery and ambiguity, as his motives and actions are called into question.

As the plot unfolds, the audience is taken on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. The Banished is a film that asks difficult questions about morality and justice, and it does not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of life in rural China. But at its heart, it is a story about human connections and the transformative power of love.

The film's pacing may be slow at times, but it is deliberately so, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the world of the characters and the village. The Banished is not a film that relies on flashy special effects or high-budget set pieces. Instead, it is a film that relies on the depth of its storytelling and the strength of its performances.

The Banished is a poignant and moving film that explores universal themes of loss, love, and redemption. With its stunning cinematography and strong performances, it is a film that will stay with viewers long after the credits have rolled.

The Banished is a 2019 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes.