Shanghai
2012 · Directed by Dibakar Banerjee
Original language: Hindi
- thriller
- crime
- mystery
The story
Prime leader of a campaign against a big government project is killed in what appears to be a road accident. An IAS officer is ordered to probe the incident and the veils of falsehood begin to drop.
What it’s like
Restless handheld camera and grainy, sun-bleached street light give a dusty, feverish feel, with surveillance-camera footage and jittery long takes cutting through crowded market lanes, dim government offices and hot, wet nights. The sound is a clatter of traffic, megaphones and crowds, broken by a tense, pulsing score that drops away into near silence at key moments. Its vibe is paranoid and grimy, with a steady undercurrent of unease. The pace is brisk and sharpening, the tone cynical and political, and the arc follows a sceptical bureaucrat who slowly sees how far the lies reach. Violence is sudden and brief but brutal, with a sharp, ugly killing near the start and a sustained threat of menace afterward rather than gore. Sexual content is minimal. It suits a late-night watch with full attention, for people who like conspiracy thrillers that feel rooted in real streets and real compromise, rather than polished glamour.
More films like Shanghai
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Shanghaiand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
