Across the Furious Sea

Across the Furious Sea
Theatrical release poster
Simplified Chinese	涉过愤怒的海
Hanyu Pinyin	Shèguò fènnù dì hǎi
Directed by	Cao Baoping
Written by	Cao Baoping Wu Pipi Jiao Huajing
Based on	Across the Furious Sea by Lao Huang
Produced by	Dong Chenchen Cao Baoping Liang Tongyu Mao Chuxiao Gao Ziqing
Starring	Huang Bo Zhou Xun
Cinematography	Li Ran
Edited by	Yan Yiping
Music by	Guo Sida
Production companies	Chenming Film Industry (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Beijing Standard Image Culture Communication Co., Ltd. Tianjin Lian Ray Pictures Co., Ltd. Shanghai Alibaba Pictures Tianjin Maoyan Weiying Culture Media Huayi Brothers Pictures Ningbo Film & TV Art Co., Ltd. Douyin Culture (Xiamen) Co., Ltd Zhejiang Huace Film & TV Co., Ltd. Beijing Yuanqi Entertainment Culture Co., Ltd Shenzhen Oriental Fortune Capital Co., Ltd. Shanghai Yilong Asset Management Co., Ltd. Shanghai Tao Piao Piao Movie & TV Culture Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Hengdian Film Production Co., Ltd. Beijing Yuntu Movie & Culture Media Co., Ltd. Beijing Weimeng Chuangke Network Technology Co., Ltd.
Distributed by	China Film Group Corporation Lian Ray Pictures Huayi Brothers Pictures IMAX China Holding, Inc.[1]
Release date	November 25, 2023 (2023-11-25)
Running time	144 minutes
Country	China
Languages	Mandarin Japanese
Box office	$76.4 million[2]

Across the Furious Sea (Chinese: 涉过愤怒的海) is a 2023 Chinese crime thriller drama film directed and co-written by Cao Baoping, and starring Huang Bo, Zhou Xun, Zu Feng, Zhang Youhao and Zhou Yiran. The film was adapted from the novel by Lao Huang of the same name published in Fiction Monthly.^[3] It is the last instalment of Cao's "Heartburn trilogy" following The Dead End and The Perfect Blue.^[4][5] The film is also the first live-action domestic film in the history of mainland China's film industry to feature an age rating label mandated by the National Film Administration, in accordance with the Film Industry Promotion Law. It was released theatrically in China on November 25, 2023.^[6][7][8]

Plot

Jin (Huang Bo), a Chinese fishing trawler captain, travels to Kyoto after learning that his daughter, Nana (Zhou Yiran), a student at Kyoto University, has gone missing. Following the discovery of Nana’s body, the autopsy reveals that she was gang-raped and stabbed non-fatally, leading to her death from blood loss. Jin confronts Miaomiao (Zhang Youhao), Nana's boyfriend, but Miaomiao evades him and flees to China.

In China, Jin attempts to locate Miaomiao, who is being hidden by his mother, Jing Lan (Zhou Xun). Jing, who is trying to secure a German visa for Miaomiao, misleads Jin while hiding her son in a safe house. However, Miaomiao escapes to a cosplay convention, leading to a pursuit by Jin. The chase ends with both men falling onto an inflatable figurine, after which Miaomiao hides at his father's mansion. Jing locks Jin in the mansion’s basement, but as police arrive, Jin escapes by setting a fire and is saved from smoke inhalation by Jing.

A car chase ensues during a storm as Jing drives to the airport to meet Miaomiao. A collision occurs, leaving everyone but Jin incapacitated. Jin kidnaps Miaomiao and refuses to reveal his location, bargaining for three days' freedom to attend Nana’s funeral in Kyoto. There, Jin tracks down and kills or injures the three students involved in Nana’s assault. Upon his return, Jin reveals evidence of Miaomiao’s betrayal of Nana and claims to have killed him. Jing attempts suicide but is saved by Jin, leading her to refuse to testify against him, forcing the police to drop the charges.

It is later revealed that Miaomiao’s father harbors resentment towards him due to an accident that injured his younger sister, exacerbated by a recent prank that caused further harm. The Japanese police conclude that Nana's wounds were self-inflicted and that her death was a result of her emotional distress, exacerbated by Miaomiao's rejection.

In the final scene, Jin releases a still-alive Miaomiao, whom he had kept chained in a lighthouse. Jin is later convicted for kidnapping and breaking into the mansion, Miaomiao for injuring his sister, and Officer Dai for mishandling the case. After serving his sentence, Jin donates the proceeds from selling his trawler to a charity for adolescent mental health.

Cast

• Huang Bo as Jin Yunshi or Lao Jin (Jin Lina's father)
• Zhou Xun as Jing Lan (Li Miaomiao's mother)
• Zu Feng as Li Lie (Li Miaomiao's father and Jing Lan's ex-husband)
• Zhang Youhao as Li Miaomiao
• Zhou Yiran as Jin Lina
• Yan Ni as Gu Hong (Jin Lina's mother and Jin Yunshi's ex-wife)
• Yan Bei as Dai Zhen
• Wang Sun as Lao Qin
• Sun Anke as Shen Xiaolin
• Tsuyoshi Abe as Shimazu
• Kira Shi as Wu Weiwei
• Tizzy T as the boy

Production

Background

The film is adapted from Lao Huang's novel of the same name, which tells the story of a father's crazy revenge after his daughter was murdered,^[3] and is the third part of Cao Baoping's "Heartburn (灼心) trilogy" following The Dead End and The Perfect Blue.^[4] The film marked the first collaboration between Zhou Xun and Huang Bo, which is also the reunion of Cao and Zhou after 12 years since The Equation of Love and Death.^[9]

Filming took place in Dalian, Liaoning on July 8, 2019.^[10]

The water scenes of the film were shot at the Underwater Production Center located in The Oriental Movie Metropolis Film and Television Industrial Park. During the filming of these scenes, the director utilized three underwater viewfinders to observe and make necessary adjustments to the underwater shots.^[11][12] During the filming process, Huang Bo engaged in extensive shooting at sea and portrayed a wide range of emotional fluctuations. To fully embody the role and immerse himself in the character, Huang underwent a period of immersion in Dalian prior to filming. He visited a seaside fishing village, engaged in conversations with various captains, accompanied fishermen on fishing trips, and familiarized himself with the equipment aboard the ships.^[13][14]

Promotion

On September 16, 2020, the film was included in Huayi Brothers Pictures' "Project H" Season 7 film list of the 5 major chapters of the "Human Fireworks".^[15]

On November 17, 2023, all the cast, crew and stars gathered at the first premiere of the film in Beijing.^[16]

Reception

Box office

Across the Furious Sea was a box office success and proved to be a popular film upon its release.

On November 25, 2023, the film grossed over CN¥100 million.^[17] By November 27, the box office had exceeded CN¥200 million.^[18] By November 30, the film's box office reached CN¥250 million.^[19] By December 2, the total box office of the film surpassed CN¥320 million.^[20] By December 9, "Across the Furious Sea" had been released for 15 days, and the total box office exceeded CN¥500 million.^[21] On December 21, Across the Furious Sea grossed CN¥547 million and surpassed the 12.92 million admissions mark at the Chinese box office, ranking first in the box office for the time of release.^[22]

Overall, Across the Furious Sea grossed a total of CN¥549 million from China alone.^[23]

Critical response

John Berra of Screen Daily, describing it as "one of the most relentless Chinese thrillers in recent memory" and he also especially praised the "riveting performances" from Huang Bo and Zhou Xun.^[24]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipients	Result
2024	15th China Film Director's Guild Awards[25][26]	Best Film	Across the Furious Sea	Nominated
		Best Director	Cao Baoping	Won
		Best Screenwriter	Cao Baoping, Wu Pipi, Jiao Huajing	Nominated
		Best Actor	Huang Bo	Nominated
		Best Actress	Zhou Xun	Won
			Zhou Yiran	Nominated
	19th Changchun Film Festival[27][28]	Best Film	Across the Furious Sea	Nominated
		Grand Jury Prize		Nominated
		Best Director	Cao Baoping	Nominated
		Best Screenwriter	Cao Baoping, Wu Pipi, Jiao Huajing	Won
		Best Actor	Huang Bo	Nominated
		Best Actress	Zhou Xun	Nominated
		Best Cinematography	Li Ran	Nominated
		Best Editing	Yan Yiping	Nominated
		Best Music	Guo Sida	Nominated

References

1. "《涉过愤怒的海》11月25日登陆IMAX®影院 IMAX呈现曹保平年度狠片" ["WIDE THE ANGRY SEA" WILL BE AVAILABLE IN IMAX® THEATERS ON NOVEMBER 25TH. IMAX WILL PRESENT CAO BAOPING'S MOST EPIC FILM OF THE YEAR.]. IMAX. November 6, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
2. "Across the Furious Sea (涉过愤怒的海)". The Numbers. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
3. "黄渤与周迅的首次联手！演绎为了女儿癫狂复仇！" [Huang Bo and Zhou Xun join forces for the first time! Acting as a crazy revenge for his daughter!]. Sohu. 2021-01-04. Archived from the original on 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
4. "曹保平"灼心系列"第三部《涉过愤怒的海》立项，黄渤周迅或主演" [The third part of Cao Baoping's "Heart-Searing Series" "Crossing the Angry Sea" has been approved, with Huang Bo and Zhou Xun possibly starring]. Guancha. 2019-07-26. Archived from the original on 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
5. "曹保平《涉过愤怒的海》官宣定档" [Cao Baoping's "Crossing the Angry Sea" officially announced]. GCores. 2023-10-19. Archived from the original on 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
6. "曹保平新片《涉过愤怒的海》11月25日全国上映，建议十八岁以下观众谨慎选择观看" [Cao Baoping's new film "Crossing the Angry Sea" will be released nationwide on November 25. Audiences under the age of 18 are advised to watch carefully.]. DianYingJie. 2023-10-19. Archived from the original on 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
7. "新片 曹保平导演作品《涉过愤怒的海》定档11月25日" [New Film - Director Cao Baoping's "Crossing the Angry Sea" is scheduled to be released on November 25]. The Paper. 2023-10-19. Archived from the original on 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
8. "黄渤周迅新片《涉过愤怒的海》定档，建议未满18岁谨慎观看" [Huang Bo and Zhou Xun's new film "Crossing the Angry Sea" is scheduled to be released. It is recommended that those under 18 years old watch with caution!]. Chongqing News. October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
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10. "《涉过愤怒的海》计日可待，黄渤、周迅首次搭档，配角更是老戏骨" ["Crossing the Angry Sea" is just around the corner, Huang Bo and Zhou Xun are teaming up for the first time, and the supporting actors are veteran actors]. Toutiao. 2021-03-08. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
11. "《涉过愤怒的海》水戏部分在东方影都影视产业园水下制作中心拍摄" [The water scenes of "Wading the Angry Sea" were filmed at the Underwater Production Center of Oriental Film Capital Film and Television Industrial Park]. Qingdao West Coast News. 2021-04-06. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023 – via Dazhong Daily.
12. "曹保平新片《涉过愤怒的海》2021上映 黄渤周迅首次合作"灼心"升级" [Cao Baoping's new film "Crossing the Angry Sea" will be released in 2021, Huang Bo and Zhou Xun's first collaboration "Scorching Heart" is upgraded]. Sohu. 2020-12-30. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
13. "《涉过愤怒的海》计日可待，黄渤、周迅首次搭档，配角更是老戏骨" [Cao Baoping's new film "Crossing the Angry Sea" will be released in 2021. Huang Bo and Zhou Xun's first collaboration "Scorching Heart" has been upgraded - Everyone's Focus]. PPFocus. 2021-01-10. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
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15. "《涉过愤怒的海》计日可待，黄渤、周迅首次搭档，配角更是老戏骨" ["Project H" Season 7 List Releases Realistic Works to Condensate "Heart Power"]. iFeng. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
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20. "《拿破仑》国内首日票房仅排第四， 《涉过愤怒的海》继续领跑". DianYingJie (in Chinese). December 2, 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
21. "电影《涉过愤怒的海》总票房破5亿". NetEase (in Chinese). December 9, 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
22. "电影《涉过愤怒的海》总票房破5亿". Shenzhen Securities Times (in Chinese). December 21, 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
23. "86部电影扎堆，谁将成为黑马？一文看清2023年贺岁档最新战况". Guangdong 21st Century Global Economic Newspaper (in Chinese). December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
24. John Berra (27 November 2023). "'Across The Furious Sea': Review". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
25. "中国电影导演协会公布年度荣誉提名名单 竞争激烈" [China Film Directors Association announces annual honor nomination list, fierce competition]. QQ News (in Chinese). 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024.
26. "导协2020-2023年年度荣誉名单公开！张艺谋获杰出贡献导演" [The Directors Association's 2020-2023 annual honor list is released! Zhang Yimou won the Outstanding Contribution Director Award]. Sohu (in Chinese). 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024.
27. Nominees for Across the Furious Sea at the 19th Changchun Film Festival:
    • "2024年中国长春电影节金鹿奖提名名单公布 黄渤、朱一龙提名最佳男演员" [2024 China Changchun Film Festival Golden Deer Award nomination list announced Huang Bo and Zhu Yilong nominated for Best Actor]. Sohu (in Chinese). 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024.
    • "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"最佳影片奖：《志愿军：雄兵出击》,提名名单:《志愿军：雄兵出击》,《涉过愤怒的海》,《雪豹》,《我们一起摇太阳》,《三大队》". 电影频道融媒体中心 (in Chinese). 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024 – via Sina Weibo.
    • "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"评委会大奖：《抓娃娃》 提名名单《抓娃娃》《涉过愤怒的海》《雪豹》". 电影频道融媒体中心 (in Chinese). 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024 – via Sina Weibo.
    • "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"最佳导演奖：张艺谋@艺谋工作室 《第二十条》 提名名单 张艺谋《第二十条》曹保平《涉过愤怒的海》万玛才旦《雪豹》". 电影频道融媒体中心 (in Chinese). 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024 – via Sina Weibo.
    • "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"最佳摄影奖：程马《河边的错误》- 提名名单程马《河边的错误》, 潘耀明《金手指》,李然《涉过愤怒的海》". 电影频道融媒体中心 (in Chinese). 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024 – via Sina Weibo.
    • "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"最佳剪辑奖：张治岩、周元《默杀》提名名单 鄢一平 《涉过愤怒的海》, 张治岩、周元《默杀》, 张叔平、彭正熙《金手指》". 电影频道融媒体中心 (in Chinese). 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024 – via Sina Weibo.
    • "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"最佳音乐奖：@德格才让 《雪豹》, 提名名单: 德格才让《雪豹》, 郭思达《涉过愤怒的海》, 杜冰儿、杜飞儿《默杀》". 电影频道融媒体中心 (in Chinese). 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024 – via Sina Weibo.
28. "第十九届中国长春电影节"金鹿奖"揭晓" [The 19th China Changchun Film Festival "Golden Deer Award" winners announced]. People's Daily (in Chinese). 2 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024.

External links

• Across the Furious Sea at IMDb
• Across the Furious Sea on Douban