The 2018 film that was directed and written by Jia Zhang-Ke is "Ash Is Purest White". The storyline is about events concerning Zhao Qiao (Zhao Tao). She is in love with Guo Bin (Liao Fan), a local mobster. During a fight between rival gangs, she fires a gun to protect him. Qiao will get five years in prison for this act of loyalty. Upon her release, she goes looking for Bin to pick up where they left off.

"Ash Is Purest White" is now considered by critics to be a contemplative romantic drama which focuses on lost love and female resilience. It is a measured work which begins as a gangster flick and gradually morphs into what once might have been called a 'woman's' film about life and love. The film's protagonist is an unjustly incarcerated woman looking to reconnect with her criminal boyfriend. She must go to prison for him!

In sum, most fans have noted that "Ash" is a well-made film. It has a polish and is truly beautifully-shot by a director who has again upend expectations with the fans seeing the film. This is a film that won a great award. In November 2018, it won the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for Best Performance by an Actress (Zhao Tao).

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