Set in the 1930s within the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo, the film follows four Communist party special agents who return to China after receiving elite training in the Soviet Union. Their mission, code-named "Utrennya," is to extract a survivor from a Japanese biological weapons camp—a witness who could expose war crimes to the international community. Themes and Cinematic Style
: It maintained strong approval ratings, holding roughly 78%–81% from critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Conclusion Cliff Walkers (2021)
: At the 34th Golden Rooster Awards , Zhang Yimou was named Best Filmmaker, while lead actor Zhang Yi received the Best Actor award. Set in the 1930s within the Japanese puppet
: Unlike typical high-octane action films, Cliff Walkers leans heavily into the emotional toll of espionage. The agents are forced to make agonizing choices between their mission and their personal lives, including a heartbreaking subplot involving separated parents and children. Critical Reception and Recognition Conclusion : At the 34th Golden Rooster Awards