Tomb Keeper (黄河守墓人, 2023) || Review || New Chinese Movie

Summary

The film 'Tombkeeper' follows a clan of boatmen led by Guyong, who assist English businessman Fred in locating his sunken goods in the Hanga River. However, Fred's true motive is to uncover an ancient tomb hidden beneath the river's traps. Based on the novel 'The Forbidden Zone of the Yellow River,' the film offers a familiar yet engaging adventure, blending river exploration, tomb raiding, and elements of horror with creatures and illusions. Despite its nonprofessional direction, the film maintains a lively pace and a mix of genres, providing an enjoyable experience amidst the crowded landscape of online Chinese cinema.

Takeaways

• 🚤 A clan of boatmen is responsible for rituals to appease the gods of the Hanga River.
• 🤝 The clan leader, Guyong, agrees to help English businessman Fred find his goods that sank in the river.
• 🔍 Fred is actually searching for an ancient tomb hidden at the bottom of the river, complicating the mission.
• 📚 The film 'Tombkeeper' is based on the novel 'The Forbidden Zone of the Yellow River,' released in 2016.
• 🎥 'Tombkeeper' is one of two adaptations of the novel and highlights the popularity of tomb-searching stories in Chinese cinema.
• 👀 The film didn't become a full hit but maintained visibility in online movie theaters despite strong competition.
• 🎬 The directors, Ding Fong and Shen Hong Xiang, are relatively inexperienced in filmmaking.
• 🧩 Despite its formulaic plot, 'Tombkeeper' offers a fresh combination of familiar elements from the genre.
• 🌊 The film features various themes, including river adventure, tomb exploration, and supernatural elements like deadly illusions.
• 🕒 'Tombkeeper' provides an entertaining hour and a half, making it enjoyable even for regular viewers of the genre.

Q & A

What is the main responsibility of the clan of boatmen in the story?

The clan of boatmen is responsible for performing rituals that help propitiate the gods of the Hanga River.

Who is the clan leader and what role does he play in the plot?

The clan leader is Guyong, who agrees to help English businessman Fred find his goods that have sunk in the river.

What is Fred actually searching for in the Hanga River?

Fred is trying to find an ancient tomb hidden somewhere at the bottom of the Hanga River.

Why does Fred need the help of the Boatman Clan?

Fred needs the help of the Boatman Clan to bypass numerous traps on the way to the ancient tomb.

How does the movie 'Tombkeeper' relate to other Chinese online movies about tomb searches?

While many Chinese online movies about lost tombs are similar, 'Tombkeeper' stands out due to its depth and thoroughness of elaboration, as it is based on the novel 'The Forbidden Zone of the Yellow River.'

What is notable about the directors of 'Tombkeeper'?

The directors Ding Fong and Shen Hong Xiang are relatively inexperienced, with Ding being an editor by profession and Shen having directed only one prior film.

What makes 'Tombkeeper' different from other films in the genre?

Despite not offering anything particularly new, 'Tombkeeper' reassembles familiar details in a relatively fresh combination, switching between various trends such as adventure, horror, and elements of steampunk.

What types of challenges do the characters face during their adventure?

The characters encounter bloodthirsty creatures, deadly illusions from mushrooms, and bizarre mechanisms aiding them in their journey.

How does 'Tombkeeper' perform in terms of audience engagement?

Although it did not become a full-fledged hit, 'Tombkeeper' showed considerable staying power in online movie theaters, which is significant given the competition in the genre.

What is the overall tone and experience of watching 'Tombkeeper'?

The film is described as easygoing and enjoyable, with a runtime of an hour and a half filled with screaming and engaging moments.