Still from Only the River Flows (2023), by Wei Shujun.
Still from Only the River Flows (2023), by Wei Shujun.
Only the River Flows
7:00 pm–8:45 pm
Directed by Wei Shujun (China, 2023, 101 min.). Mandarin with English subtitles.
When a body surfaces in a riverside town in 1990s rural China, police chief Ma Zhe (Zhu Yilong) makes a quick arrest. But as rains fall and nightmares unsettle his sleep, suspicion gnaws at him—something still feels wrong. Based on Yu Hua’s short novel Mistakes by the River, Wei Shujun’s Only the River Flows is a brooding neo-noir drenched in atmosphere and shot on grainy 16 mm that evokes classic pulp cinema. As Ma Zhe spirals deeper into a maze of small-town paranoia, Wei crafts a mesmerizing puzzle of memory, madness, and moral ambiguity. A Cannes Un Certain Regard selection and one of China’s highest-grossing independent films ever.
Wheelchair accessible
With English subtitles
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.
Bag Checks
All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff. Backpacks, large bags, all liquids including hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and outside food or drink are not permitted. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. All bags are strongly discouraged, and any bags larger than 11” x 15” must be checked in the Coat Room upon entry. Read our full bag check policy.