The much-anticipated *Jiangyuan Alley* movie, which was previously announced as a two-part series, has officially revealed that the first installment, *Jiangyuan Alley: The Suspicious Case*, will hit theaters on June 21st. Along with this exciting news, the film has dropped a gripping teaser trailer, a chilling headless murder case poster, and a full cast set of character stills. Directed by Chen Kexin, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Zhang Ziyi, Wang Chuanjun, Yi Yangqianxi, Mei Ting, Zhao Liying, Lei Jiayin, Liu Runxuan, Zhang Yu, Anna Kirke, Yang Mi, Kang Chunlei, Zhang Yulin, Peng Yuchang, Yin Fang, Shen Jianni, Chen Guoqing, Zhang Jianya, Zhou Yemang, Da Peng, Li Xian, Xu Xiang, Sun Qiang, and Fan Wei. With a total of 23 powerhouse actors, they transport us back to 1945 to unravel a real-life mystery from the Republic era, weaving an intense and dramatic tale of fate and intrigue during turbulent times.
The alley is alive with vibrant characters, each contributing their unique energy to the tense backdrop of a wife’s murder mystery. In the teaser, we follow the frantic pace of the wife, Zhan Zhou (played by Zhang Ziyi), her blood-stained cheongsam drawing the curious gaze of everyone in Jiangyuan Alley. Some stare in surprise, others gossip, and some express concern, all forming a circle around the woman with the tragic past. With dark corridors, a blood-soaked handbag, and the worn-out alley, the suspense builds as Zhan Zhou walks toward the exit—only for the scene to cut suddenly. The trailer's stylized direction amplifies the intensity of this murder case, creating a nail-biting atmosphere.
Along with the trailer, a striking promotional poster for the headless murder mystery has been released, capturing the chilling essence of the crime. The scene focuses on the bloody remains of a body, decapitated in a gruesome manner, while Zhan Zhou stands solemnly beside the corpse, her arm scarred, silently telling the tragic tale of her fate. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhou’s massive husband, Zhan Yunying (Wang Chuanjun), looks grim, holding gambling chips that hint at his gambler’s lifestyle. Other characters, like the mysterious Song Xie (Yi Yangqianxi), appear detached from the crowd yet keep a sharp ear to every whisper; Xilin (Zhao Liying) looks into the distance, her face grim; Xue Zhiwu (Lei Jiayin) exudes a tense energy; Wang Xumei (Yang Mi) shows signs of deep distress, and He Huixian (Da Peng) appears conflicted, while Zhang Baofu (Li Xian) furrows his brow in thought. Each actor's portrayal is layered with hidden depths, making it clear that they all have secrets to hide. The newspapers at the bottom of the poster further tell the tale of this real-life, explosive case, leaving everyone in shock and disbelief.
The *Jiangyuan Alley* murder case is based on a real-life, shocking incident from 1945, where Zhan Zhou allegedly killed her husband, Zhan Yunying, and dismembered his body into 16 pieces. The case stirred up a storm of speculation and became the talk of the town. Even decades later, in 2023, director Chen Kexin brings the dark tale back into the public eye. This two-part film series will split the story, with the first installment focusing on the mystery itself, exploring how a frail woman could commit such a horrific crime. Is she acting alone, or is there more to the story? Why did the case go through several public trials, and what will become of Zhan Zhou’s fate? What will happen to the lives entangled in this shocking affair?
To ensure historical accuracy, the filmmakers recreated the 1945 Shanghai setting with meticulous attention to detail—from the alleys and street scenes to the furnishings inside Zhan Zhou's home. The character designs, revealed for the first time, feature a groundbreaking transformation for the cast, with Zhang Ziyi’s portrayal of Zhan Zhou, scarred and sharp-eyed, leading the way. The intensity of these roles stirs up heated discussions online. *Jiangyuan Alley: The Suspicious Case* will have its world premiere on June 14th at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival before its official release on June 21st.
This thrilling production is a collaboration between Shanghai Huan Shixi Cultural Co., Ltd., Huanxi Media Group Co., Ltd., Tianjin Maoyan Microfilm Culture Media Co., Ltd., and other major film companies. *Jiangyuan Alley: The Suspicious Case*, based on a real-life murder from the Republic era, will be a hard-hitting, crime-filled drama that promises to leave the audience on the edge of their seats. The case reopens—June 21st, the trial begins.
