Hu Die Gong Mu (On FallenWings) (2016)

Also known as ‘Butterfly Cemetery’.

Director: Weihao Ma

Starring: Xiyue An, Vivian Dawson, Björn Freiberg

A dancer is invited to choreograph dancers for a wealthy family in Budapest. However, strange things start to happen…and the answers might lie in a nearby cemetery called the Butterfly Cemetery.

The film captured my attention from the stunning opening score and photography, followed soon by impressive visuals. I rooted for dancer Xiaodie Shang the moment I realized what happened to her. A typical tragic love story.

Xiaodie is invited to choreograph dancers in Budapest, but it soon becomes evident things are not what they seem at the estate. I loved the setting and the cinematography. The sets were nothing short of spectacular. The film was an absolute delight to watch. It was colorful and beautiful and beautifully filmed as well, capturing the essence of beauty as we perceive butterflies to be. The acting was good and I loved how the mystery unfolded with a great twist. The editing was fantastic. This was absolutely breathtaking with a fantastic ending! Easily one of the most stylish fantasy films I’ve ever seen.

In Mandarin.