Old Stone – a Kafkaesque Thriller from the Chinese Crime Pages

Among as many as four films with elements of thriller in the main program of the 14th ZFF is Old Stone, by Chinese-Canadian director Johnny Ma – a story of a taxi driver who accidentally causes a car crash, after which he falls into a Kafkaesque grind of bureaucracy and insane Chinese insurance regulations.

The film is based on a series of real-life cases from the Chinese crime pages and bizarre local legal regulations according to which in case of death the culprit pays less, while in case of permanent injuries and disability the victims get paid medical treatments for life, which is why Chinese drivers try to kill the injured.

One of the most important awards this film debut has won is the Best Canadian Debut Film at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.