The latest projects from Hong Kong include action dramas from the likes of Soi Cheang, Herman Yau, Oxide Pang and Danny Pang, while Chinese titles include a remake of Japanese classic Hachiko Monogatari.
160 Years Old
Dir. Yan Bing
Set in the steamy southern Chinese province of Guangdong, this drama revolves around a middle-class family that is thrown into chaos when the grandfather dies and complex family secrets and relationships are revealed. The mostly Cantonese-language production stars Hong Kong actors Athena Chu and Tse Kwan-ho, while the title refers to the family’s 160-year-old Argentine tortoise, which goes missing. Produced by Guangzhou-based Youwei Film Culture and Media, the film won best cinematic script at this year’s First International Film Festival, Xining. Contact: Meng Xie, Rediance Films
Cyber Heist
Dir. Wong Hing Fan
Previously known as Disconnect’d, this action drama stars Aaron Kwok as a cyber security engineer who develops an AI programme that has the potential to disable the region’s networks, but then has to prevent it falling into the wrong hands. Produced by Soi Cheang with backing from Sil Metropole and Entertaining Power, the film is the second feature directed by Wong following I’m Livin’ It, which also starred Kwok and was produced by Cheang. Their new collaboration co-stars Lam Ka Tung, Megan Lai and Simon Yam and is in post-production. Contact: Esther Yeung, Edko Films
Dea
Dir. Alberto Gerosa
This feature-length docudrama about the experiences of an Indonesian domestic helper in Hong Kong was written and partly improvised by a workshop of such helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines. Dea Panendra, who has credits including Cannes Directors’ Fortnight title Marlina The Murderer In Four Acts and recent Busan New Currents entry Photocopier, plays the lead role and the cast also features Italy’s Bruno Zanin (Amarcord). The film was shot mainly in Hong Kong with local resident Gerosa directing and with backing from Fondation Jean Rouch and non-profit ThinkYoung. It has played at festivals including Slamdance and DMZ Docs. Contact: Pearl Chan, Good Move Media
East Side Stories
Dir. Felix Chong
Previously known as Once Upon A Time In Hong Kong, this crime thriller reunites Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Andy Lau, who both starred in the Infernal Affairs franchise, with Chong, who co-wrote the Infernal Affairs films and has since directed thrillers such as the Overheard series and Project Gutenberg. Produced by Ronald Wong (Overheard series), East Side Stories is set in Hong Kong in the 1980s when a stock-market crash causes the sudden collapse of a multi-billion-dollar company. An anti-corruption investigator uncovers a criminal conspiracy involving the company’s founder, and becomes entangled in a long-running investigation.
Contact: Miriam Cheung, Emperor Motion Pictures
Far Far Away
Dir. Amos Why
Hong Kong director Why (Dot To Dot, Napping Kid) came up with this romantic comedy during lockdown last year as a way to explore themes of home and human connection. The story follows a young man who, in his quest for love, courts five women of different temperaments, each one of them living in Hong Kong’s furthest reaches. The cast includes Kaki Sham and Jennifer Yu, who both starred in 2018’s Distinction, as well as Cecilia So (She Remembers, He Forgets) and Hanna Chan (G Affairs). The film will receive its world premiere as the closing film of the upcoming Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (October 27-November 14). Contact: Felix Tsang, Golden Scene
Hachiko
Dir. Xu Ang
Feng Xiaogang and Joan Chen star in this Chinese remake of Seijiro Koyama’s Japanese classic Hachiko Monogatari (1987), produced by iQiyi Pictures and Beijing Lajin Film Co. Feng plays a Beijinger who rescues a puppy on a business trip to Chongqing and brings him home, much to the disapproval of his family. As the puppy grows up, he meets his new master as he returns from work at the bus station every day, a habit he doesn’t give up even after his master passes away. The film is currently in post-production and aiming for theatrical release in the first quarter of 2022. Contact: Bryce Tsao, iQiyi
High Forces (working title)
Dir. Oxide Pang
Andy Lau is producing and starring in this action film, which also stars Zhang Zifeng, one of China’s hottest actresses after her role in Sister, Qu Chuxiao (The Wandering Earth), Liu Tao (Peace Breaker) and Guo Xiaodong (The Rescue). The story follows a former SWAT officer who gets caught up in a hijacking attempt while on board a flight home, and whose daughter becomes involved in the ensuing negotiations. High Forces is currently in production and aiming at release in the fourth quarter of 2022. Contact: Carmen Kai, Universe Films Distribution
Kowloon Walled City
Dir. Soi Cheang
Currently in pre-production, this action thriller is set in the 1980s inside the eponymous lawless labyrinth where a group of immigrants and outlaws fight against a triad gang sent by the British Hong Kong government to demolish their haven. An adaptation of the award-winning cult manga series City Of Darkness, the film stars Louis Koo, Richie Jen and Zhang Jin and has John Chong (Infernal Affairs series) and Wilson Yip (Ip Man series) on board as producers. Cheang’s noir thriller Limbo premiered in Berlinale Special earlier this year. Contact: Fred Tsui, Media Asia
Man On The Edge
Dir. Wong Ming-sing
Produced by iQiyi Pictures for theatrical release, this action drama revolves around an undercover cop infiltrating a drug-trafficking ring and stars Hong Kong actors Simon Yam, Alex Fong, Patrick Tam and Richie Jen. Wong is a former member of the Jackie Chan stunt team and a leading action choreographer with credits including Super Cop and Give Them A Chance. He previously co‑directed martial-arts drama Choyleefut: Speed Of Light. Man On The Edge is currently in post-production for tentative release in April 2022. Contact: Bryce Tsao, iQiyi
Railway Heroes
Dir. Yang Feng
Scheduled for release on November 19 in China, this historical drama depicts the sabotage undertaken by a group of Chinese railway workers to destroy the Japanese invaders’ supply lines during the Second World War. Produced by Huayi Brothers, the film stars Zhang Hanyu (Operation Red Sea), Fan Wei (One Second) and pop singer/actor Vision Wei. Yang previously worked as a director and producer for a broadcasting company and is also a screenwriter and cinematographer. His feature directing credits include The Coldest City (2019). Contact: Vicky Ding, Blossoms Entertainment
Silver Bird And Rainbow Fish
Dir. Lei Lei
The first feature-length film from acclaimed animator Lei Lei, this Sino-Dutch collaboration is set in the 1950s when two young children must live in an orphanage after their father is sent to work in the countryside and their mother passes away. While the country is in turmoil, a rainbow fish transforms into a woman and decides to help the kids. Lei Lei’s credits include short animation Recycled, which was selected for Annecy, and documentary Breathless Animals, which premiered at Berlinale Forum. His first feature is produced by C Ray Studio, Chinese Shadows and Submarine Amsterdam, with support from the Netherlands Film Fund and Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals Fund. Contact: Maria Ruggieri, Asian Shadows
Social Distancing
Dir. Gilitte Leung
Currently in post-production, this horror thriller revolves around an internet-obsessed woman who after seeing a warning about an e-ghost on YouTube has a series of strange encounters that lead her to believe a demon is accessing her memories through her phone. Gladys Li, Jeana Ho and Angus Yeung head the cast of the film, which is produced by Emperor Motion Pictures and One Cool Film Production with backing from the Hong Kong Film Development Fund. Leung is making her feature-directing debut. Contact: Miriam Cheung, Emperor Motion Pictures
Table For Six
Dir. Sunny Chan
The new film from Men On The Dragon director Chan is an ensemble comedy starring top Hong Kong stand-up comedian Dayo Wong — whose The Grand Grandmaster was a Chinese New Year hit in 2020 — Stephy Tang (My Prince Edward), Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong and Lim Min Chen. The story centres on a family gathering that goes sour when an old flame turns up, causing a kitchen nightmare for three half-brothers and the casual girlfriend of one of the boys. The film is scheduled for a Chinese New Year release in 2022. Contact: Esther Yeung, Edko Films
Tales From The Occult
Dirs. Fruit Chan, Fung Chih Chiang, Wesley Hoi
Currently in post-production, this psychological thriller comprises three short films from three acclaimed directors about the hidden horrors that lurk behind the urban landscape of Hong Kong. The cast includes Richie Jen (Breaking News), Cherry Ngan (The Way We Dance), Cecilia So (She Remembers, He Forgets) and Jerry Lamb (Young And Dangerous). Producers John Chong and Mathew Tang already have a second instalment from three further Hong Kong directors — Frank Hui, Doris Wong and Daniel Chan — in post-production, while a third instalment with Lee Chi-Ngai, Peter Lee and Pater Wong is currently shooting. Contact: Fred Tsui, Media Asia
To Be Faced
Dir. Danny Pang
This action crime thriller follows two estranged longtime friends — one now a cop, the other part of a powerful gambling gang — who cross paths again because of a kidnap incident that involves a betting official. The pair then decide to take revenge for a woman who died three years ago. Currently in post-production, the film stars Wallace Chung, Francis Ng and Cheung Siu Fai. Pang co-directed The Eye series, Bangkok Dangerous and Out Of Inferno with his brother Oxide, and as a solo director has credits including thrillers Blind Spot and Fairy Tale Killer. Contact: Daisy Wong, Entertaining Power
The White Storm 3
Dir. Herman Yau
Yau is currently in post-production on the third instalment in the White Storm franchise, after also directing the second in the series, while late action maestro Benny Chan directed the first. Both of the previous two films were hits in China and across the region. The third instalment reunites Louis Koo and Sean Lau, who are joined by new cast member Aaron Kwok. The story follows a cop working undercover in a Southeast Asian drug cartel, who has formed a bond with a Thai drug lord, but reaches out to Hong Kong Police Force’s Narcotics Bureau to take down the cartel once and for all. Theatrical release is targeted for the third quarter of 2022. Contact: Carmen Kai, Universe Films Distribution
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