By jasper 
For director Anthony Chen, this is his fifth time bringing a work to the Cannes Film Festival. It has been ten years since his first feature film “Ilo Ilo” won the Camera d’Or (Best First Feature) at Cannes. During this period, he has returned to Cannes multiple times with short films, forming an inseparable bond with this coastal town.
This time, his new work “The Breaking Ice” has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section, making it even more significant for him.
This young Chinese-language director from Singapore set and filmed his first two feature films in his familiar Singapore. This time, however, “The Breaking Ice” shifts the setting to Yanji City in northern China. Despite being a southern director, he shows no signs of being out of place; with fresh and restrained images, he tells the story of three young people from different places who meet in the icy world and develop a wonderful and warm emotional connection.
Haofeng (played by Liu Haoran) comes to Yanji from Shanghai to attend an old classmate’s wedding. Amidst the bustling banquet, he appears melancholic and absent-minded. There is only one flight from Yanji to Shanghai per week. To kill time while waiting for his flight, Haofeng joins a one-day tour group in Yanji and meets Nana (played by Zhou Dongyu), who works as a tour guide.
Nana always appears experienced and cheerful, with a sweet smile for everyone and considerate actions. She takes Haofeng to drink at her friend Han Xiao’s (played by Qu Chuxiao) restaurant. After getting drunk, the three young people continue drinking at Nana’s house. The next day, Haofeng misses his flight back to Shanghai.
Han Xiao and Nana naturally suggest that he stay a few more days to explore Yanji. The three then embark on a deep tour of Yanji, riding motorcycles through the suburbs and hopping on frozen rivers…
Under the influence of Han Xiao and Nana, Haofeng smiles more often and subtly changes his outlook on life. He seems like an ice cube slowly melting under Yanji’s warm sun.
Nana, who appears carefree, also seems to have an untouchable past that attracts Haofeng. Han Xiao, who has been protecting Nana for years, notices their chemistry but doesn’t say much; instead, he becomes more considerate towards Haofeng.
Haofeng suggests visiting Tianchi Lake in Changbai Mountain together. Although Han Xiao moved to Yanji from Sichuan with his aunt years ago, he has never been there either and gladly agrees. As a tour guide, Nana leads them on this impromptu trip to Changbai Mountain—a journey that will profoundly change their perspectives on life…
Although the setting is no longer the tropical city Chen is familiar with, he captures Yanji’s icy clarity and lingering warmth from an outsider’s perspective.
The camera gently follows the three young people wandering around Yanji, occasionally showcasing glimpses of Korean ethnic group customs. Most of the time, unique northern winter landscapes—such as mazes built from ice blocks—serve as ordinary backgrounds for their wanderings.
The colder it gets, the warmer their emotions grow as they huddle together against the cold air. Fans of Anthony Chen will easily find his favorite emotional threads in “The Breaking Ice”: intimate relationships gradually developing between strangers.
In the icy world, three young people ride motorcycles at high speed hand-in-hand or run wildly together—freezing all unspoken pains and worries into ice cubes that dissolve away…
Nana (played by Zhou Dongyu) had her sports dream shattered; she fled from her family and coach to become an ordinary tour guide in Yanji.
Han Xiao (played by Qu Chuxiao), despite always urging his little cousin to study hard and cultivate interests/goals himself lives aimlessly without any purpose—but knows deep down that he can’t be a temporary worker at his aunt’s restaurant forever.
Haofeng’s issues are more ambiguous: He frequently receives calls from Pujiang Psychological Counseling Center urging him to continue therapy but keeps hanging up until he “accidentally” loses his phone—clearly avoiding dealing with his depression head-on.
Their lively outings are filled with fun yet tinged with subtle melancholy due to Haofeng’s detachment throughout their journey.
It’s clear that under Chen’s penmanship,Yanji serves merely as one stop along these three youths’ life journeys where they temporarily escape life’s problems & truths while being carefree ostriches for awhile.
This sets up film’s melancholic tone where audience understands right away “three-person journey is just short-term pain relief.”
Yet amidst snowy scenery & lively atmosphere,Yanji seems like place where troubles can wait till tomorrow—they drink today without worries about future!
Among them,Nana & Haofeng’s mutual affection stands out most—with Zhou Dongyu & Liu Haoran delivering most daring passionate scenes since debuting.
Han Xiao’s feelings towards Nana developed over time;he’s used unconditionally accompanying/caring for girl struggling alone faraway home—even accustomed her clear boundaries/stubbornness/cool rejections repeatedly given him.
There isn’t competitive tension between Haofeng & Han Xiao—instead mutual admiration exists.Han Xiao oddly provides sense security allowing anxious Haofeng relax sleep peacefully.
“The Breaking Ice” isn’t traditional love triangle story—instead countless small moments create ambiguous emotional currents among trio.Restrained camera never lingers sentimentality,making audience feel unsatisfied craving more.
Classic setup reminiscent François Truffaut’s masterpiece Jules et Jim;if viewers doubt reflection then Chen directly replicates iconic scene Godard’s Bande à part where protagonists run hand-in-hand fastest through Louvre bookstore—blatantly paying homage French New Wave cinema imagery.
However unlike New Wave films where love holds absolute importance,”The Breaking Ice” views love through contemporary Gen Z lens:even kissing/making love/hugging doesn’t necessarily mean romance—it’s just intimacy needing no name.Their reasons self-exiling themselves Yanji rarely mentioned—even drunken conversations forgotten sober next day…
That “unsaid” feels like gentle care giving each other ample space easing life pressures.
Such relaxed relationships allow them open up without reservations within short period time.
When trio lies down carefree thick snow Changbai Mountain,”puff,puff,puff” softly sound forming three stretched-out 大 characters amidst vast white snowfield—it becomes one unforgettable scenes domestic films year!
Hollywood Reporter praised script written few days:
“The Breaking Ice”is love letter Chinese youth…based extensive research conducted years regarding young people’s lives/culture creating work unprecedented lighthearted warmth within domestic films.Chen portrays contemporary youth deep understanding empathy reminiscent earlier work depicting emotional accumulation between children Filipino maids “Ilo Ilo”.
Chen’s tender concern marginalized groups’ marginal feelings consistently highlights humanistic brilliance throughout films explaining why regardless setting location always resonates internationally renowned film festivals audiences alike.
As IndieWire aptly reviewed:
“The Breaking Ice”leaves lasting impression not leading characters out maze but melting walls between them.”
Similarly The Playlist lauded:
“Chen returns Cannes feature-length bold experiment sure reap rich rewards.(“The Breaking Ice”)explores generation hopes/dreams/anxieties within focused environment combining excellent performances complex spiritual core ultimately landing ethereal folk tale stunning beauty.”